Compositions and methods to detect atopobium vaginae nucleic acid

ABSTRACT

The disclosed invention include nucleic acid oligomers that may be used as amplification oligomers, including primers, as capture probes for sample preparation, and detection probes for detection of 16S rRNA from  Atopobium vaginae  in samples by using methods of specific nucleic acid amplification and detection.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/305,319, which was filed on Feb. 17, 2010, and to International Application PCT/US11/25215, which was filed Feb. 17, 2011. The contents of both 61/305,319 and PCT/US11/25215 are incorporated herein in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to detection of the presence of Atopobium bacteria in a sample by using molecular biological methods, and specifically relates to detection of Atopobium vaginae in a sample by amplifying nucleic acids from Atopobium vaginae and detecting the amplified nucleic acid sequences.

BACKGROUND

Atopobium vaginae (“A. vaginae”) are a species of the Atopobium genus of bacteria. This strain was first described by Rodriguez et al. (Int. J. Syst. Bacteriol. (1999) 49:1573-1576) having been identified from the vaginal flora of a health individual. A. vaginae has since been implicated in bacterial vaginosis, wherein the A. vaginae load increases relative to other species of the natural flora. (Ferris, M., et al., BMC Infect. Dis. (2004) 4:5. Verhelst, R., et al., BMC Microbiol. (2004) 4:16). Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a poorly detected public health problem that is associated with increased susceptibility to sexually transmitted disease, preterm delivery, pelvic inflammatory disease, neoplasia and low birth weight and for which no reliable diagnostic tool exists.

Bacterial vaginosis is currently considered to be a synergistic polymicrobial syndrome that is characterized by depletion of Lactobacillus spp., especially those that produce hydrogen peroxide, and an intense increase (100- to 1000-fold above normal levels) in the quantity of commensal vaginal anaerobic bacteria, including G. vaginalis, Prevotella sp, anaerobic gram positive cocci, Mobiluncus sp, Mycoplasma hominis, Eggerthella hongkongensis, Megasphaera sp, Leptotrichia sanguinegens and Atopobium vaginalis. (See, e.g., Swidsinksi, et al., Obstet. Gynecol. (2005) 106:1013; see also, Thies et al., J. Medical Microbiol., (2007) 56, 755.) Diagnosing of bacterial vaginosis, therefore, requires identifying each microbe present in the vaginal flora and determining their relative abundances within the floral population.

A current technique for diagnosing BV includes gram-staining assays; however, gram-staining techniques are less than optimal. One particular problem is that A. vaginae present a variable morphology that hinders identification using gram-staining. (Menard et al. Clin Infect Dis. (2008) 47(1):33-43). Nucleic acid diagnostic tests marketed for identifying BV pathogens lack components for identifying A. vaginae. (BD Affirm VPIII, Becton Dickinson, Sparks, Md.). Other nucleic acid tests rely upon universal primers and probes that detect a plurality of microbes identified in normal and disease state flora. Universal flora detection tests are known to provide confounding and incomplete results due to competition by abundant flora masking the presence of less abundant flora. Thus, results from these diagnostic assays are not fully indicative of what is occurring in a BV infection, particularly by failing to indicate the presence or abundance of A. vaginae in a specimen. There is a need for compositions, kits and methods that allow rapid and accurate diagnosis of BV, wherein said compositions, kits and methods detect the presence or abundance of A. vaginae in a specimen so that individuals may be promptly and properly treated to prevent complications from the disorder. There is also a need wherein said compositions, kits and methods detect the presence or relative abundance of A. vaginae in a specimen so that individuals may be promptly and properly treated to prevent complications from the disorder. There is also a need wherein said compositions, kits and methods detect the presence or relative abundance of each of a plurality of microbes in a specimen so that individuals may be promptly and properly treated to prevent complications from the disorder.

SUMMARY

The present invention relates to compositions, kits, and methods used in detecting Atopobium vaginae. The invention is based at least in part on the discovery that certain A. vaginae sequences are surprisingly efficacious for the detection of A. vaginae. In certain aspects and embodiments, particular regions of the A. vaginae 16S rRNA have been identified as preferred targets for nucleic acid amplification reactions of a sample, including biological specimens derived from infected humans. In certain aspects and embodiments, particular regions of the A. vaginae 16S rRNA have been identified as preferred targets for nucleic acid detection reactions of a sample, including biological specimens derived from infected humans, and amplifications products therefrom. These preferred target regions provide improvements in relation to specificity, sensitivity, or speed of detection as well as other advantages. The invention also includes nucleic acid oligomers that may be used as primers and probes for detecting A. vaginae, and which may be provided in kits. Using the specific primers and probes, the methods include one or more of the steps of isolating/capturing target nucleic acids from a sample, amplifying target sequences within the 16S rRNA nucleic acid of A. vaginae and detecting the amplification products. Some embodiments of the methods monitor the development of specific amplification products during the amplification step. Preferred compositions of the instant invention are configured to specifically hybridize to a 16S rRNA nucleic acid of A. vaginae with minimal cross-reactivity to other nucleic acids suspected of being in a sample. In some aspects, the compositions of the instant invention are configured to specifically hybridize to a 16S rRNA nucleic acid of A. vaginae with minimal cross-reactivity to one or more of anerobic gram-positive cocci; Megasphaera sp.; Lactobacillus sp.; Lactobacillus iners; Lactobacillus crispatus group; Lactobacillus gasseri group; Gardnerella sp; Gardnerella vaginalis; Trichamonas sp; Trichamonas vaginalis; Candida sp; Eggerthella sp.; Bacterium from the order Clostridiales; Clostridium-like sp.; Prevotella sp.; Prevotella bivia group; Prevotella buccalis group; Atopobium sp.; Atopobium vaginae; Enterobacteria; Peptostreptococcus micros; Aerococcus christensenii; Leptotrichia amnionii; Peptoniphilus sp.; Dialister sp.; Mycoplasma hominis; Sneathia sanguinegens; Anaerococcus tetradius; Mobiluncus sp.; Mobiluncus hominis; Eggerthella hongkongensis; Megasphaera sp; Leptotrichia sanguinegens and Finegoldia magna. In one aspect, the compositions of the instant invention are part of a multiplex system that further includes components and methods for detecting one of more of these organisms.

One aspect of the invention includes compositions for detecting A. vaginae in a sample. Preferred embodiments include combinations of nucleic acid oligomers that function as amplification oligonucleotides in nucleic acid amplification reactions, and probes that hybridize specifically to amplified nucleic acid products, or directly to the 16S rRNA or a gene that encodes the 16S rRNA of A. vaginae. Some embodiments are kits that contain such amplification oligonucleotides and/or probes specific for target A. vaginae nucleic acid, and which may optionally include other reagents used in nucleic acid amplification and/or detection.

One embodiment of compositions for the amplification and detection of A. vaginae target nucleic acids includes amplification oligomers. A preferred embodiment of amplification oligomers for amplifying a 16S rRNA of A. vaginae or a gene encoding a 16S rRNA of A. vaginae, are amplification oligomers configured to generate an amplicon comprising a target specific sequence that is from about 150 nucleotides in length to about 235 nucleotides in length and that is at least 80% identical to SEQ ID NO:43. More preferably, the amplification oligomers are configured to generate an amplicon that comprises a target specific sequence that is from about 169 nucleotides in length to about 209 nucleotides in length and that is at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO:43. More preferably still, the amplification oligomers are configured to generate an amplicon that comprises a target specific sequence that is from about 178 nucleotides in length to about 198 nucleotides in length and is at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO:43. And still more preferably, the amplification oligomers are configured to generate an amplicon that comprises a target specific sequence that is SEQ ID NO:43. Ranges for the length of a nucleic acid are inclusive of all whole numbers therein. Ranges for percent identity are inclusive of all whole and partial numbers therein.

In a preferred embodiment, the amplification oligomers comprise an oligomer member that is SEQ ID NO:2. In a preferred embodiment, the amplification oligomers comprise an oligomer member that is SEQ ID NO:27. In a preferred embodiment, the amplification oligomers comprise first and second oligomer members that are SEQ ID NO:2 and SEQ ID NO:27. In a preferred embodiment, the amplification oligomers comprise an oligomer member with a target binding sequence that is SEQ ID NO:27. In a preferred embodiment, the amplification oligomers comprise a first oligomer member that is SEQ ID NO:2 and a second oligomer member with a target binding sequence that is SEQ ID NO:27.

In an alternatively preferred embodiment, the amplification oligomers comprise an oligomer member that further comprises a promoter sequence attached to the oligomer member's 5′ end. Preferably, the amplification oligomers comprise an oligomer member that is SEQ ID NO:27, which further comprises a promoter sequence attached to its 5′ end. More preferably, the amplification oligomers comprise an oligomer member that is SEQ ID NO:3. More preferably still, the amplification oligomers comprise an oligomer member that is SEQ ID NO:2 and an oligomer member that is SEQ ID NO:27, which further comprises a promoter sequence attached to its 5′ end. More preferably, the amplification oligomers comprise an oligomer member that is SEQ ID NO:2 and an oligomer member that is SEQ ID NO:27 joined at its 5′ end to SEQ ID NO:25. Most preferably, the amplification oligomers comprise first and second oligomer members that are SEQ ID NO:2 and SEQ ID NO:3. In another particularly preferred embodiment of amplification oligomers the amplification oligomers are configured to generate an amplicon comprising a target specific sequence that is from about 150 nucleotides in length to about 235 nucleotides in length, that is at least 80% identical to SEQ ID NO:43, and at least one amplification oligomer member of the amplification oligomers further comprises a promoter sequence. More preferably, the amplification oligomers are configured to generate an amplicon that comprises a target specific sequence that is from about 169 nucleotides in length to about 209 nucleotides in length and that is at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO:43, and at least one amplification oligomer member of the amplification oligomers further comprises a promoter sequence. More preferably still, the amplification oligomers are configured to generate an amplicon that comprises a target specific sequence that is from about 178 nucleotides in length to about 198 nucleotides in length and that is at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO:43, and at least one amplification oligomer member of the amplification oligomers further comprises a promoter sequence. And still more preferably, the amplification oligomers are configured to generate an amplicon that comprises a target specific sequence that is SEQ ID NO:43, and at least one amplification oligomer member of the amplification oligomers further comprises a promoter sequence. In one aspect of this alternate embodiment, the promoter sequences are preferably RNA polymerase promoter sequences, more preferably are T7 RNA Polymerase promoter sequences, and most preferably are SEQ ID NO:25.

Another embodiment of compositions for the amplification and detection of A. vaginae target nucleic acids includes detection probe oligomers. A preferred embodiment of detection probe oligomers, comprises those that specifically hybridize to a 16S rRNA of A. vaginae, specifically hybridize to a gene encoding a 16S rRNA of A. vaginae or specifically hybridize to an amplicon from either. A more particularly preferred embodiment of detection probe oligomers for detecting a 16S rRNA of A. vaginae, detecting a gene encoding a 16S rRNA of A. vaginae or detecting an amplicon from either, comprises those that specifically hybridize to an amplicon comprising a target specific sequence that is from about 150 nucleotides in length to about 235 nucleotides in length and is at least 80% identical to SEQ ID NO:43. More preferably, those that specifically hybridize to an amplicon comprising a target specific sequence that is from about 169 nucleotides in length to about 209 nucleotides in length and is at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO:43. More preferably still, those that specifically hybridize to an amplicon comprising a target specific sequence that is from about 178 nucleotides in length to about 198 nucleotides in length and is at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO:43. And most preferably, those that specifically hybridize to an amplicon comprising a target specific sequence that is SEQ ID NO:43. An alternative particularly preferred embodiment of detection probe oligomers for detecting a 16S rRNA of A. vaginae, detecting a gene encoding a 16S rRNA of A. vaginae or detecting an amplicon from either, are detection probe oligomers configured to specifically hybridize to all or a portion of a region of a target sequence of a nucleic acid or amplified nucleic acid of 16S rRNA of A. vaginae or a gene encoding a 16S rRNA of A. vaginae, said region corresponding to from nucleotide 538 to nucleotide 566 of GenBank Accession No.: AF325325.1, gi:12240234 (SEQ ID NO:44). More preferably, the detection probe oligomers are configured to specifically hybridize to all or a portion of a region corresponding to from nucleotide 544 to nucleotide 566 of GenBank Accession No.: AF325325.1, gi:12240234 (SEQ ID NO:45). More preferably still, the detection probe oligomers are configured to specifically hybridize to all or a portion of a region corresponding to from nucleotide 548 to nucleotide 566 of GenBank Accession No.: AF325325.1, gi:12240234 (SEQ ID NO:46). More preferably still, the detection probe oligomers are configured to specifically hybridize to all or a portion of a region corresponding to from nucleotide 538 to nucleotide 558 of GenBank Accession No.: AF325325.1, gi:12240234 (SEQ ID NO:47). Most preferably, the detection probe oligomers are configured to specifically hybridize to a region corresponding to from nucleotide 548 to nucleotide 558 of GenBank Accession No.: AF325325.1, gi:12240234 (SEQ ID NO:48).

In another aspect of these preferred embodiments of detection probe oligomers there are detection probe oligomers from 11 nucleotides in length to 29 nucleotides in length, containing at least 11 nucleotides of SEQ ID NO:44, and that specifically hybridize with a sequence of a nucleic acid or an amplified nucleic acid of an A. vaginae. It is understood by ordinarily skilled artisans that an oligomer containing all or a part of a specified sequence (e.g., SEQ ID NO:44), may be configured to contain the complementary sequence, and/or the corresponding RNA or DNA sequence. Use of a reference sequence (e.g., SEQ ID NO:44) is for convenience. More preferred in this aspect, the detection probe oligomers are from 11 nucleotides in length to 29 nucleotides in length and contain a sequence corresponding SEQ ID NO:48. More preferred in this aspect, the detection probe oligomers are from 11 nucleotides in length to 29 nucleotides in length, contain a sequence corresponding to SEQ ID NO:48, and that specifically hybridize to all or a portion of a region of nucleic acid sequence or amplified nucleic acid sequence of an A. vaginae said region corresponding to from about nucleotide 538 to about nucleotide 566 of GenBank Accession No.: AF325325.1, gi:12240234 (SEQ ID NO:44). More preferred in this aspect, the detection oligomers are one of SEQ ID NOS:4, 15, 16 and 17. Most preferred in this aspect, the detection probe oligomer is SEQ ID NO:4.

In a further embodiment of the current invention there are provided kits, wherein said kits comprise at least one amplification oligomer or detection probe oligomer of the current invention. More preferably, said kits comprise at least an amplification oligomer combination of the current invention. More preferably, said kits comprise an amplification oligomer combination and a detection probe oligomer of the current invention. More preferably, said kits further comprise a target capture oligomer of the current invention. In one particular aspect, said kits comprise one or more of SEQ ID NOS:2, 3 & 4. In another particular aspect, said kits comprise one of more of SEQ ID NOS:2, 27 & 4.

One embodiment for a method of amplifying and detecting an A. vaginae target nucleic acid sequences includes in vitro assays. A preferred embodiment for amplifying in vitro a sequence of A. vaginae 16S rRNA or amplifying in vitro a sequence of a gene encoding A. vaginae 16S rRNA comprises the steps of contacting a sample with an amplification oligomer combination, wherein said amplification oligomer combination comprises a primer member selected from SEQ ID NOS:2, 9, 11, 12, 19, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 36 & 38. More preferably, the two oligomers of the amplification oligomer combination are both primer members and are selected from SEQ ID NOS:2, 9, 11, 12, 19, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 36 & 38. Particularly preferred primer members are SEQ ID NO:2 and SEQ ID NO:27.

Another preferred embodiment for amplifying in vitro a sequence of A. vaginae 16S rRNA or amplifying in vitro a sequence of a gene encoding A. vaginae 16S rRNA comprises the steps of contacting a sample with an amplification oligomer combination, wherein said amplification oligomer combination comprises a primer member and a promoter primer member. Preferably the primer member is selected from SEQ ID NOS:2, 9, 11, 12, 19, 31 & 32 and the promoter primer member is selected from SEQ ID NOS:3, 10, 13, 20, 35 & 37. More preferably the primer member is SEQ ID NO:2 and the promoter primer member is SEQ ID NO:27 joined at its 5′ end to a promoter sequence, more preferably, the promoter primer member is SEQ ID NO:27 joined at its 5′ end to an RNA Polymerase promoter sequence, more preferably joined at its 5′ end to a T7 RNA polymerase promoter sequence, more preferably joined at its 5′ end to SEQ ID NO:25, and most preferably the promoter primer member is SEQ ID NO:3.

Another particularly preferred amplification oligomer combination is configured to generate an amplicon comprising a target specific sequence that is from about 150 nucleotides in length to about 235 nucleotides in length and at least 80% identical to SEQ ID NO:43. More preferably the amplification oligomer combination is configured to specifically hybridize with a target sequence of an A. vaginae nucleic acid sequence to generate an amplicon comprising a target specific sequence that is from about 169 nucleotides in length to about 209 nucleotides in length and is at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO:43. More preferably the amplification oligomer combination is configured to specifically hybridize with a target sequence of an A. vaginae nucleic acid sequence to generate an amplicon comprising a target specific sequence that is from about 178 nucleotides in length to about 198 nucleotides in length and is at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO:43. Most preferably the amplification oligomer combination is configured to specifically hybridize with a target sequence of an A. vaginae nucleic acid sequence to generate an amplicon comprising a target specific sequence that is SEQ ID NO:43. In a preferred aspect of this instant embodiment, amplification oligomer combinations are configured to generate such amplicons, and said amplicons further comprise a promoter sequence.

In a further preferred aspect of an in vitro amplification and detection assay there is provided the step of providing a detection probe oligomer. Preferred detection probe oligomers specifically hybridize to all or a portion of a region of an A. vaginae nucleic acid sequence or amplified nucleic acid sequence that corresponds to from nucleotide 538 to nucleotide 566 of GenBank Accession No.: AF325325.1, gi:12240234 (SEQ ID NO:44). More preferably, detection probe oligomers specifically hybridize to all or a portion of a region of an A. vaginae nucleic acid or amplified nucleic acid sequence corresponding to from nucleotide 538 to nucleotide 566 of GenBank Accession No.: AF325325.1, gi:12240234 (SEQ ID NO:44), and said detection probe oligomers are from 11 nucleotides in length to 29 nucleotides in length. More preferably, detection probe oligomers contain a sequence corresponding to from nucleotide 548 to nucleotide 558 of GenBank Accession No.: AF325325.1, gi:12240234 (SEQ ID NO:48), and specifically hybridize to all or a portion of a region of an A. vaginae nucleic acid or amplified nucleic acid sequence corresponding to from about nucleotide 538 to about nucleotide 566 of GenBank Accession No.: AF325325.1, gi:12240234 (SEQ ID NO:44). More preferably, detection probe oligomers are from 11 nucleotides in length to 29 nucleotides in length, contain a sequence corresponding to from nucleotide 548 to nucleotide 558 of GenBank Accession No.: AF325325.1, gi:12240234 (SEQ ID NO:48), and specifically hybridize to all or a portion of a region of an A. vaginae nucleic acid or amplified nucleic acid, wherein said region corresponds to GenBank Accession No.: AF325325.1, gi:12240234 from nucleotide 538 to nucleotide 566 (SEQ ID NO:44); from nucleotide 544 to nucleotide 566 (SEQ ID NO:45); from nucleotide 548 to nucleotide 566 (SEQ ID NO:46); from nucleotide 538 to nucleotide 558 (SEQ ID NO:47); or from nucleotide 548 to nucleotide 558 (SEQ ID NO:45). Particularly preferred detection oligomers are selected from SEQ ID NOS:4, 15, 16 & 17. A most preferred detection probe oligomer is SEQ ID NO:4.

Thus, in one particularly preferred in vitro assay for the amplification and detection of A. vaginae nucleic acid there is provided an amplification oligomer combination comprising SEQ ID NO:2 and SEQ ID NO:3 for amplification of an A. vaginae target sequence and a detection probe oligomer comprising SEQ ID NO:4 for detecting A. vaginae nucleic acid or amplified nucleic acid sequences.

In a further preferred aspect of in vitro assays for amplification and detection of A. vaginae nucleic acid, the sample is a specimen from a human. More preferably, the sample is a vaginal swab specimen. More preferably, the sample is a cervical brush specimen. More preferably still, the sample is a specimen from a human and the in vitro assay is configured to diagnose bacterial vaginosis. More preferably still, the in vitro assay for amplification and detection of A. vaginae is configured to identify elevated numbers of A. vaginae nucleic acids over a base-line amount of A. vaginae nucleic acids.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates a reference sequence Atopobium vaginae 16S ribosomal RNA gene, partial sequence found at GenBank under accession number AF325325.1 and GI:12240234 (Jan. 16, 2001), sometimes referred to herein when describing oligomers and regions.

FIGS. 2A-C: FIG. 2A illustrates an amplification oligomer combination. The amplification oligomer combination of this figure is shown targeting the reference sequence of FIG. 1, SID #1 is SEQ ID NO:1. The SID #2 oligomer is SEQ ID NO:2, the SID #27 oligomer is SEQ ID NO:27 and is also the target binding sequence of SEQ ID NO:3. FIG. 2B illustrates one strand of an amplicon generated by using the amplification oligomer combination shown in FIG. 2A on the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1. This exemplary amplicon's target specific sequence is SEQ ID NO:43 (shown as SID #43). Nucleotide residue numbering shown in the figure is that for the reference sequence of FIG. 1 (not shown). FIG. 2C illustrates a plurality of exemplary detection oligomers useful for detection of an amplicon similar to that shown in FIG. 2B. SID #1 is SEQ ID NO:1. Nucleotide residue numbering shown in the figure is that for the reference sequence of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Disclosed are compositions, kits and methods for amplifying and detecting A. vaginae nucleic acid from a sample, specifically sequences of A. vaginae 16S rRNA or genes encoding 16S rRNA. Preferably, the samples are biological samples. The compositions, kits and methods provide oligonucleotide sequences that recognize target sequences of A. vaginae 16S rRNA or their complementary sequences, or genes encoding 16S rRNA or their complementary sequences. Such oligonucleotides may be used as amplification oligonucleotides, which may include primers, promoter primers, blocked oligonucleotides, and promoter provider oligonucleotides, whose functions have been described previously (e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,683,195; 4,683,202; 4,800,159; 5,399,491; 5,554,516; 5,824,518; and 7,374,885). Other oligonucleotides may be used as probes for detecting amplified sequences of A. vaginae.

The methods provide for the sensitive and specific detection of A. vaginae nucleic acids. The methods include performing a nucleic acid amplification of A. vaginae sequences and detecting the amplified product, for example by specifically hybridizing the amplified product with a nucleic acid probe that provides a signal to indicate the presence of A. vaginae in the sample. The amplification step includes contacting the sample with one or more amplification oligomers specific for a target sequence in 16S rRNA to produce an amplified product if A. vaginae nucleic acid is present in the sample. Amplification synthesizes additional copies of the target sequence or its complement by using at least one nucleic acid polymerase to extend the sequence from an amplification oligomer (a primer) using a template strand. One embodiment for detecting the amplified product uses a hybridizing step that includes contacting the amplified product with at least one probe specific for a sequence amplified by the selected amplification oligomers, e.g., a sequence contained in the target sequence flanked by a pair of selected primers.

The detection step may be performed using any of a variety of known ways to detect a signal specifically associated with the amplified target sequence, such as by hybridizing the amplification product with a labeled probe and detecting a signal resulting from the labeled probe. The detection step may also provide additional information on the amplified sequence, such as all or a portion of its nucleic acid base sequence. Detection may be performed after the amplification reaction is completed, or may be performed simultaneous with amplifying the target region, e.g., in real time. In one embodiment, the detection step allows homogeneous detection, e.g., detection of the hybridized probe without removal of unhybridized probe from the mixture (e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,639,604 and 5,283,174).

In embodiments that detect the amplified product near or at the end of the amplification step, a linear probe may be used to provide a signal to indicate hybridization of the probe to the amplified product. One example of such detection uses a luminescentally labeled probe that hybridizes to target nucleic acid. Luminescent label is then hydrolyzed from non-hybridized probe. Detection is performed by chemiluminescence using a luminometer. (e.g., WO 89/002476). In other embodiments that use real-time detection, the probe may be a hairpin probe, such as a molecular beacon, molecular torch, or hybridization switch probe, that is labeled with a reporter moiety that is detected when the probe binds to amplified product. Such probes may comprise target binding sequences and non-target binding sequences. Various forms of such probes have been described previously (e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,118,801; 5,312,728; 5,925,517; 6,150,097; 6,849,412; 6,835,542; 6,534,274; and 6,361,945; and US Pub. Nos. 20060068417A1; and US Pub. No. 20060194240A1).

To aid in understanding aspects of the invention, some terms used herein are described in more detail. All other scientific and technical terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the relevant art, such as may be provided in Dictionary of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, 2nd ed. (Singleton et al., 1994, John Wiley & Sons, New York, N.Y.), The Harper Collins Dictionary of Biology (Hale & Marham, 1991, Harper Perennial, New York, N.Y.), and other references cited herein. Unless mentioned otherwise, the techniques employed or contemplated herein are standard methods well known to a person of ordinary skill in the art of molecular biology.

It is to be noted that the term “a” or “an” entity refers to one or more of that entity; for example, “a nucleic acid,” is understood to represent one or more nucleic acids. As such, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more,” and “at least one” can be used interchangeably herein.

“Sample” includes any specimen that may contain A. vaginae or components thereof, such as nucleic acids or fragments of nucleic acids. Samples include “biological samples” which include any tissue or material derived from a living or dead human that may contain A. vaginae or target nucleic acid derived therefrom, including, e.g., vaginal swab samples, cervical brush samples, respiratory tissue or exudates such as bronchoscopy, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) or lung biopsy, sputum, saliva, peripheral blood, plasma, serum, lymph node, gastrointestinal tissue, feces, urine, semen or other body fluids or materials. The biological sample may be treated to physically or mechanically disrupt tissue or cell structure, thus releasing intracellular components into a solution which may further contain enzymes, buffers, salts, detergents and the like, which are used to prepare, using standard methods, a biological sample for analysis. Also, samples may include processed samples, such as those obtained from passing samples over or through a filtering device, or following centrifugation, or by adherence to a medium, matrix, or support.

“Nucleic acid” refers to a multimeric compound comprising two or more covalently bonded nucleosides or nucleoside analogs having nitrogenous heterocyclic bases, or base analogs, where the nucleosides are linked together by phosphodiester bonds or other linkages to form a polynucleotide. Nucleic acids include RNA, DNA, or chimeric DNA-RNA polymers or oligonucleotides, and analogs thereof. A nucleic acid “backbone” may be made up of a variety of linkages, including one or more of sugar-phosphodiester linkages, peptide-nucleic acid bonds (in “peptide nucleic acids” or PNAs, see PCT Pub. No. WO 95/32305), phosphorothioate linkages, methylphosphonate linkages, or combinations thereof. Sugar moieties of the nucleic acid may be either ribose or deoxyribose, or similar compounds having known substitutions; e.g., 2′ methoxy substitutions and 2′ halide substitutions (e.g., 2′-F). Nitrogenous bases may be conventional bases (A, G, C, T, U), analogs thereof (e.g., inosine, 5-methylisocytosine, isoguanine; The Biochemistry of the Nucleic Acids 5-36, Adams et al., ed., 11th ed., 1992, Abraham et al., 2007, BioTechniques 43: 617-24), which include derivatives of purine or pyrimidine bases (e.g., N⁴-methyl deoxygaunosine, deaza- or aza-purines, deaza- or aza-pyrimidines, pyrimidine bases having substituent groups at the 5 or 6 position, purine bases having an altered or replacement substituent at the 2, 6 and/or 8 position, such as 2-amino-6-methylaminopurine, O.sup.6-methylguanine, 4-thio-pyrimidines, 4-amino-pyrimidines, 4-dimethylhydrazine-pyrimidines, and O.sup.4-alkyl-pyrimidines, and pyrazolo-compounds, such as unsubstituted or 3-substituted pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine; U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,378,825, 6,949,367 and PCT Pub. No. WO 93/13121). Nucleic acids may include “abasic” residues in which the backbone does not include a nitrogenous base for one or more residues (U.S. Pat. No. 5,585,481). A nucleic acid may comprise only conventional sugars, bases, and linkages as found in RNA and DNA, or may include conventional components and substitutions (e.g., conventional bases linked by a 2′ methoxy backbone, or a nucleic acid including a mixture of conventional bases and one or more base analogs). Nucleic acids may include “locked nucleic acids” (LNA), in which one or more nucleotide monomers have a bicyclic furanose unit locked in an RNA mimicking sugar conformation, which enhances hybridization affinity toward complementary sequences in single-stranded RNA (ssRNA), single-stranded DNA (ssDNA), or double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) (Vester et al., 2004, Biochemistry 43(42):13233-41). Nucleic acids may include modified bases to alter the function or behavior of the nucleic acid, e.g., addition of a 3′-terminal dideoxynucleotide to block additional nucleotides from being added to the nucleic acid. Synthetic methods for making nucleic acids in vitro are well known in the art although nucleic acids may be purified from natural sources using routine techniques.

The term “polynucleotide” as used herein denotes a nucleic acid chain. Throughout this application, nucleic acids are designated by the 5′-terminus to the 3′-terminus. Standard nucleic acids, e.g., DNA and RNA, are typically synthesized “3′-to-5′,” i.e., by the addition of nucleotides to the 5′-terminus of a growing nucleic acid.

A “nucleotide” as used herein is a subunit of a nucleic acid consisting of a phosphate group, a 5-carbon sugar and a nitrogenous base. The 5-carbon sugar found in RNA is ribose. In DNA, the 5-carbon sugar is 2′-deoxyribose. The term also includes analogs of such subunits, such as a methoxy group at the 2′ position of the ribose (2′-O-Me). As used herein, methoxy oligonucleotides containing “T” residues have a methoxy group at the 2′ position of the ribose moiety, and a uracil at the base position of the nucleotide.

A “non-nucleotide unit” as used herein is a unit that does not significantly participate in hybridization of a polymer. Such units must not, for example, participate in any significant hydrogen bonding with a nucleotide, and would exclude units having as a component one of the five nucleotide bases or analogs thereof.

A “target nucleic acid” as used herein is a nucleic acid comprising a “target sequence” to be amplified. Target nucleic acids may be DNA or RNA as described herein, and may be either single-stranded or double-stranded. The target nucleic acid may include other sequences besides the target sequence, which may not be amplified. Typical target nucleic acids include virus genomes, bacterial genomes, fungal genomes, plant genomes, animal genomes, rRNA, tRNA, or mRNA from viruses, bacteria or eukaryotic cells, mitochondrial DNA, or chromosomal DNA.

By “isolated” it is meant that a sample containing a target nucleic acid is taken from its natural milieu, but the term does not connote any degree of purification.

The term “target sequence” as used herein refers to the particular nucleotide sequence of the target nucleic acid that is to be amplified and/or detected. The “target sequence” includes the complexing sequences to which oligonucleotides (e.g., priming oligonucleotides and/or promoter oligonucleotides) complex during the processes of TMA. Where the target nucleic acid is originally single-stranded, the term “target sequence” will also refer to the sequence complementary to the “target sequence” as present in the target nucleic acid. Where the target nucleic acid is originally double-stranded, the term “target sequence” refers to both the sense (+) and antisense (−) strands. In choosing a target sequence, the skilled artisan will understand that a “unique” sequence should be chosen so as to distinguish between unrelated or closely related target nucleic acids.

“Target binding sequence” is used herein to refer to the portion of an oligomer that is configured to hybridize with a target nucleic acid sequence. Preferably, the target binding sequences are configured to specifically hybridize with a target nucleic acid sequence. Target binding sequences may be 100% complementary to the portion of the target sequence to which they are configured to hybridize; but not necessarily. Target-binding sequences may also include inserted, deleted and/or substituted nucleotide residues relative to a target sequence. Less than 100% complementarity of a target binding sequence to a target sequence may arise, for example, when the target nucleic acid is a plurality strains within a species, such as would be the case for an oligomer configured to hybridize to the various strains of A. vaginae. It is understood that other reasons exist for configuring a target binding sequence to have less than 100% complementarity to a target nucleic acid.

The term “targets a sequence” as used herein in reference to a region of A. vaginae nucleic acid refers to a process whereby an oligonucleotide hybridizes to the target sequence in a manner that allows for amplification and detection as described herein. In one preferred embodiment, the oligonucleotide is complementary with the targeted A. vaginae nucleic acid sequence and contains no mismatches. In another preferred embodiment, the oligonucleotide is complementary but contains 1; or 2; or 3; or 4; or 5 mismatches with the targeted A. vaginae nucleic acid sequence. Preferably, the oligonucleotide that hybridizes to the A. vaginae nucleic acid sequence includes at least 10 to as many as 50 nucleotides complementary to the target sequence. It is understood that at least 10 and as many as 50 is an inclusive range such that 10, 50 and each whole number there between are included. Preferably, the oligomer specifically hybridizes to the target sequence.

The term “configured to” denotes an actual arrangement of the polynucleotide sequence configuration of the references oligonucleotide target hybridizing sequence. For example, amplification oligomers that are configured to generate a specified amplicon from a target sequence have polynucleotide sequences that hybridize to the target sequence and can be used in an amplification reaction to generate the amplicon. Also as an example, oligonucleotides that are configured to specifically hybridize to a target sequence have a polynucleotide sequence that specifically hybridizes to the referenced sequence under stringent hybridization conditions.

The term “configured to specifically hybridize to” as used herein means that the target hybridizing region of an amplification oligonucleotide, detection probe or other oligonucleotide is designed to have a polynucleotide sequence that could target a sequence of the referenced A. vaginae target region. Such an oligonucleotide is not limited to targeting that sequence only, but is rather useful as a composition, in a kit or in a method for targeting a A. vaginae target nucleic acid. The oligonucleotide is designed to function as a component of an assay for amplification and detection of A. vaginae from a sample, and therefore is designed to target A. vaginae in the presence of other nucleic acids commonly found in testing samples. “Specifically hybridize to” does not mean exclusively hybridize to, as some small level of hybridization to non-target nucleic acids may occur, as is understood in the art. Rather, “specifically hybridize to” means that the oligonucleotide is configured to function in an assay to primarily hybridize the target so that an accurate detection of target nucleic acid in a sample can be determined. The term “configured to” denotes an actual arrangement of the polynucleotide sequence configuration of the amplification oligonucleotide target hybridizing sequence.

The term “fragment” as used herein in reference to the A. vaginae targeted nucleic acid sequence refers to a piece of contiguous nucleic acid. In certain embodiments, the fragment includes contiguous nucleotides from an A. vaginae 16S ribosomal RNA, wherein the number of 16S contiguous nucleotides in the fragment are less than that for the entire 16S.

The term “region” as used herein refers to a portion of a nucleic acid wherein said portion is smaller than the entire nucleic acid. For example, when the nucleic acid in reference is an oligonucleotide promoter primer, the term “region” may be used refer to the smaller promoter portion of the entire oligonucleotide. Similarly, and also as example only, when the nucleic acid is a 16S ribosomal RNA, the term “region” may be used to refer to a smaller area of the nucleic acid, wherein the smaller area is targeted by one or more oligonucleotides of the invention. As a non-limiting example, when the nucleic acid in reference is an amplicon, the term region, the term region may be used to refer to the smaller nucleotide sequence identified for hybridization by the target binding sequence of a probe.

The interchangeable terms “oligomer,” “oligo” and “oligonucleotide” refer to a nucleic acid having generally less than 1,000 nucleotide (nt) residues, including polymers in a range having a lower limit of about 5 nt residues and an upper limit of about 500 to 900 nt residues. In some embodiments, oligonucleotides are in a size range having a lower limit of about 12 to 15 nt and an upper limit of about 50 to 600 nt, and other embodiments are in a range having a lower limit of about 15 to 20 nt and an upper limit of about 22 to 100 nt. Oligonucleotides may be purified from naturally occurring sources, but or may be synthesized using any of a variety of well known enzymatic or chemical methods. The term oligonucleotide does not denote any particular function to the reagent; rather, it is used generically to cover all such reagents described herein. An oligonucleotide may serve various different functions. For example, it may function as a primer if it is specific for and capable of hybridizing to a complementary strand and can further be extended in the presence of a nucleic acid polymerase, it may function as a primer and provide a promoter if it contains a sequence recognized by an RNA polymerase and allows for transcription (e.g., a T7 Primer), and it may function to detect a target nucleic acid if it is capable of hybridizing to the target nucleic acid, or amplicon thereof, and further provides a detectible moiety (e.g., an acridinium-ester compound).

As used herein, an oligonucleotide having a nucleic acid sequence “comprising” or “consisting of” or “consisting essentially of” a sequence selected from a group of specific sequences means that the oligonucleotide, as a basic and novel characteristic, is capable of stably hybridizing to a nucleic acid having the exact complement of one of the listed nucleic acid sequences of the group under stringent hybridization conditions. An exact complement includes the corresponding DNA or RNA sequence.

“Consisting essentially of” is used to mean that additional component(s), composition(s) or method step(s) that do not materially change the basic and novel characteristics of the present invention may be included in the compositions or kits or methods of the present invention. Such characteristics include the ability to detect A. vaginae nucleic acid in a biological sample. Other characteristics include limited cross-reactivity with other Bacteria or mammalian nucleic acid and targeting 16S rRNA. Any component(s), composition(s), or method step(s) that have a material effect on the basic and novel characteristics of the present invention would fall outside of this term.

As used herein, an oligonucleotide “substantially corresponding to” a specified nucleic acid sequence means that the referred to oligonucleotide is sufficiently similar to the reference nucleic acid sequence such that the oligonucleotide has similar hybridization properties to the reference nucleic acid sequence in that it would hybridize with the same target nucleic acid sequence under stringent hybridization conditions. One skilled in the art will understand that “substantially corresponding oligonucleotides” can vary from the referred to sequence and still hybridize to the same target nucleic acid sequence. It is also understood that a first nucleic acid corresponding to a second nucleic acid includes the complements thereof and includes the RNA and DNA thereof. This variation from the nucleic acid may be stated in terms of a percentage of identical bases within the sequence or the percentage of perfectly complementary bases between the probe or primer and its target sequence. Thus, an oligonucleotide “substantially corresponds” to a reference nucleic acid sequence if these percentages of base identity or complementarity are from 100% to about 80%. In preferred embodiments, the percentage is from 100% to about 85%. In more preferred embodiments, this percentage can be from 100% to about 90%; in other preferred embodiments, this percentage is from 100% to about 95%. Similarly, a region of a nucleic acid or amplified nucleic acid can be referred to herein as corresponding to a reference nucleic acid sequence. One skilled in the art will understand the various modifications to the hybridization conditions that might be required at various percentages of complementarity to allow hybridization to a specific target sequence without causing an unacceptable level of non-specific hybridization.

A “helper oligonucleotide” or “helper” refers to an oligonucleotide designed to bind to a target nucleic acid and impose a different secondary and/or tertiary structure on the target to increase the rate and extent of hybridization of a detection probe or other oligonucleotide with the targeted nucleic acid, as described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,030,557. Helpers may also be used to assist with the hybridization to target nucleic acid sequences and function of primer, target capture and other oligonucleotides.

As used herein, a “blocking moiety” is a substance used to “block” the 3′-terminus of an oligonucleotide or other nucleic acid so that it cannot be efficiently extended by a nucleic acid polymerase. Oligomers not intended for extension by a nucleic acid polymerase may include a blocker group that replaces the 3′OH to prevent enzyme-mediated extension of the oligomer in an amplification reaction. For example, blocked amplification oligomers and/or detection probes present during amplification may not have functional 3′OH and instead include one or more blocking groups located at or near the 3′ end. In some embodiments a blocking group near the 3′ end and may be within five residues of the 3′ end and is sufficiently large to limit binding of a polymerase to the oligomer. In other embodiments a blocking group is covalently attached to the 3′ terminus. Many different chemical groups may be used to block the 3′ end, e.g., alkyl groups, non-nucleotide linkers, alkane-diol dideoxynucleotide residues, and cordycepin.

An “amplification oligomer” is an oligomer, at least the 3′-end of which is complementary to a target nucleic acid, and which hybridizes to a target nucleic acid, or its complement, and participates in a nucleic acid amplification reaction. An example of an amplification oligomer is a “primer” that hybridizes to a target nucleic acid and contains a 3′OH end that is extended by a polymerase in an amplification process. Another example of an amplification oligomer is an oligomer that is not extended by a polymerase (e.g., because it has a 3′ blocked end) but participates in or facilitates amplification. For example, the 5′ region of an amplification oligonucleotide may include a promoter sequence that is non-complementary to the target nucleic acid (which may be referred to as a “promoter-primer” or “promoter provider”). Those skilled in the art will understand that an amplification oligomer that functions as a primer may be modified to include a 5′ promoter sequence, and thus function as a promoter-primer. Incorporating a 3′ blocked end further modifies the promoter-primer, which is now capable of hybridizing to a target nucleic acid and providing an upstream promoter sequence that serves to initiate transcription, but does not provide a primer for oligo extension. Such a modified oligo is referred to herein as a “promoter provider” oligomer. Size ranges for amplification oligonucleotides include those that are about 10 to about 70 nt long (not including any promoter sequence or poly-A tails) and contain at least about 10 contiguous bases, or even at least 12 contiguous bases that are complementary to a region of the target nucleic acid sequence (or a complementary strand thereof). The contiguous bases are at least 80%, or at least 90%, or completely complementary to the target sequence to which the amplification oligomer binds. An amplification oligomer may optionally include modified nucleotides or analogs, or additional nucleotides that participate in an amplification reaction but are not complementary to or contained in the target nucleic acid, or template sequence. It is understood that when referring to ranges for the length of an oligonucleotide, amplicon or other nucleic acid, that the range is inclusive of all whole numbers (e.g. 19-25 contiguous nucleotides in length includes 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 & 25).

As used herein, a “promoter” is a specific nucleic acid sequence that is recognized by a DNA-dependent RNA polymerase (“transcriptase”) as a signal to bind to the nucleic acid and begin the transcription of RNA at a specific site.

As used herein, a “promoter-provider” or “provider” refers to an oligonucleotide comprising first and second regions, and which is modified to prevent the initiation of DNA synthesis from its 3′-terminus. The “first region” of a promoter-provider oligonucleotide comprises a base sequence which hybridizes to a DNA template, where the hybridizing sequence is situated 3′, but not necessarily adjacent to, a promoter region. The hybridizing portion of a promoter oligonucleotide is typically at least 10 nucleotides in length, and may extend up to 50 or more nucleotides in length. The “second region” comprises a promoter sequence for an RNA polymerase. A promoter oligonucleotide is engineered so that it is incapable of being extended by an RNA- or DNA-dependent DNA polymerase, e.g., reverse transcriptase, preferably comprising a blocking moiety at its 3′-terminus as described above. As referred to herein, a “T7 Provider” is a blocked promoter-provider oligonucleotide that provides an oligonucleotide sequence that is recognized by T7 RNA polymerase.

As used herein, a “terminating oligonucleotide” or “blocker oligonucleotide” is an oligonucleotide comprising a base sequence that is complementary to a region of the target nucleic acid in the vicinity of the 5′-end of the target sequence, so as to “terminate” primer extension of a nascent nucleic acid that includes a priming oligonucleotide, thereby providing a defined 3′-end for the nascent nucleic acid strand.

An “extender oligomer” or “extend oligomer” as used herein refers to an oligonucleotide that is the same sense as the T7 Provider and may act as a helper oligonucleotide that opens up structure or improves specificity.

“Amplification” refers to any known procedure for obtaining multiple copies of a target nucleic acid sequence or its complement or fragments thereof. The multiple copies may be referred to as amplicons or amplification products. Amplification of “fragments” refers to production of an amplified nucleic acid that contains less than the complete target nucleic acid or its complement, e.g., produced by using an amplification oligonucleotide that hybridizes to, and initiates polymerization from, an internal position of the target nucleic acid. Known amplification methods include, for example, replicase-mediated amplification, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), ligase chain reaction (LCR), strand-displacement amplification (SDA), and transcription-mediated or transcription-associated amplification. Replicase-mediated amplification uses self-replicating RNA molecules, and a replicase such as QB-replicase (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,786,600). PCR amplification uses a DNA polymerase, pairs of primers, and thermal cycling to synthesize multiple copies of two complementary strands of dsDNA or from a cDNA (e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,683,195, 4,683,202, and 4,800,159). LCR amplification uses four or more different oligonucleotides to amplify a target and its complementary strand by using multiple cycles of hybridization, ligation, and denaturation (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,427,930 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,516,663). SDA uses a primer that contains a recognition site for a restriction endonuclease and an endonuclease that nicks one strand of a hemimodified DNA duplex that includes the target sequence, whereby amplification occurs in a series of primer extension and strand displacement steps (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,422,252; U.S. Pat. No. 5,547,861; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,648,211).

“Transcription associated amplification” or “transcription mediated amplification” (TMA) refer to nucleic acid amplification that uses an RNA polymerase to produce multiple RNA transcripts from a nucleic acid template. These methods generally employ an RNA polymerase, a DNA polymerase, deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates, ribonucleoside triphosphates, and a template complementary oligonucleotide that includes a promoter sequence, and optionally may include one or more other oligonucleotides. TMA methods and single-primer transcription associated amplification method are embodiments of amplification methods used for detection of A. vaginae target sequences as described herein. Variations of transcription-associated amplification are well known in the art as previously disclosed in detail (e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,868,105; 5,124,246; 5,130,238; 5,399,491; 5,437,990; 5,554,516; and 7,374,885; and PCT Pub. Nos. WO 88/01302; WO 88/10315 and WO 95/03430). The person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the disclosed compositions may be used in amplification methods based on extension of oligomer sequences by a polymerase.

As used herein, the term “real-time TMA” refers to single-primer transcription-mediated amplification (“TMA”) of target nucleic acid that is monitored by real-time detection means.

The term “amplicon” or the term “amplification product” as used herein refers to the nucleic acid molecule generated during an amplification procedure that is complementary or homologous to a sequence contained within the target sequence. The complementary or homologous sequence of an amplicon is sometimes referred to herein as a “target-specific sequence.” Amplicons generated using the amplification oligomers of the current invention may comprise non-target specific sequences. Amplicons can be double stranded or single stranded and can include DNA, RNA or both. For example, DNA-dependent RNA polymerase transcribes single stranded amplicons from double stranded DNA during transcription-mediated amplification procedures. These single stranded amplicons are RNA amplicons and can be either strand of a double stranded complex; depending on how the amplification oligomers are configured. Thus, amplicons can be single stranded RNA. RNA-dependent DNA polymerases synthesize a DNA strand that is complementary to an RNA template. Thus, amplicons can be double stranded DNA and RNA hybrids. RNA-dependent DNA polymerases often include RNase activity, or are used in conjunction with an RNase, which degrades the RNA strand. Thus, amplicons can be single stranded DNA. RNA-dependent DNA polymerases and DNA-dependent DNA polymerases synthesize complementary DNA strands from DNA templates. Thus, amplicons can be double stranded DNA. RNA-dependent RNA polymerases synthesize RNA from an RNA template. Thus, amplicons can be double stranded RNA. DNA Dependent RNA polymerases synthesize RNA from double stranded DNA templates, also referred to as transcription. Thus, amplicons can be single stranded RNA. Amplicons and methods for generating amplicons are known to those skilled in the art. For convenience herein, a single strand of RNA or a single strand of DNA may represent an amplicon generated by an amplification oligomer combination of the current invention. Such representation is not meant to limit the amplicon to the representation shown. Skilled artisans in possession of the instant disclosure will use amplification oligomers and polymerase enzymes to generate any of the numerous types of amplicons; all within the spirit of the current invention.

A “non-target-specific sequence,” as is used herein refers to a region of an oligomer sequence, wherein said region does not stably hybridize with a target sequence under standard hybridization conditions. Oligomers with non-target-specific sequences include, but are not limited to, promoter primers, and molecular beacons. An amplification oligomer may contain a sequence that is not complementary to the target or template sequence; for example, the 5′ region of a primer may include a promoter sequence that is non-complementary to the target nucleic acid (referred to as a “promoter-primer”). Those skilled in the art will understand that an amplification oligomer that functions as a primer may be modified to include a 5′ promoter sequence, and thus function as a promoter-primer. Similarly, a promoter-primer may be modified by removal of, or synthesis without, a promoter sequence and still function as a primer. A 3′ blocked amplification oligomer may provide a promoter sequence and serve as a template for polymerization (referred to as a “promoter provider”). Thus, an amplicon that is generated by an amplification oligomer member such as a promoter primer will comprise a target-specific sequence and a non-target-specific sequence.

“Probe,” “detection probe” or “detection oligonucleotide” are terms referring to a nucleic acid oligomer that hybridizes specifically to a target sequence in a nucleic acid, or in an amplified nucleic acid, under conditions that promote hybridization to allow detection of the target sequence or amplified nucleic acid. Detection may either be direct (e.g., a probe hybridized directly to its target sequence) or indirect (e.g., a probe linked to its target via an intermediate molecular structure). Probes may be DNA, RNA, analogs thereof or combinations thereof and they may be labeled or unlabeled. A probe's “target sequence” generally refers to a smaller nucleic acid sequence region within a larger nucleic acid sequence that hybridizes specifically to at least a portion of a probe oligomer by standard base pairing. A probe may comprise target-specific sequences and other sequences that contribute to the three-dimensional conformation of the probe (e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,118,801; 5,312,728; 6,849,412; 6,835,542; 6,534,274; and 6,361,945; and US Pub. No. 20060068417).

By “stable” or “stable for detection” is meant that the temperature of a reaction mixture is at least 2° C. below the melting temperature of a nucleic acid duplex.

As used herein, a “label” refers to a moiety or compound joined directly or indirectly to a probe that is detected or leads to a detectable signal. Direct labeling can occur through bonds or interactions that link the label to the probe, including covalent bonds or non-covalent interactions, e.g. hydrogen bonds, hydrophobic and ionic interactions, or formation of chelates or coordination complexes. Indirect labeling can occur through use of a bridging moiety or “linker” such as a binding pair member, an antibody or additional oligomer, which is either directly or indirectly labeled, and which may amplify the detectable signal. Labels include any detectable moiety, such as a radionuclide, ligand (e.g., biotin, avidin), enzyme or enzyme substrate, reactive group, or chromophore (e.g., dye, particle, or bead that imparts detectable color), luminescent compound (e.g., bioluminescent, phosphorescent, or chemiluminescent labels), or fluorophore. Labels may be detectable in a homogeneous assay in which bound labeled probe in a mixture exhibits a detectable change different from that of an unbound labeled probe, e.g., instability or differential degradation properties. A “homogeneous detectable label” can be detected without physically removing bound from unbound forms of the label or labeled probe (e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,283,174, 5,656,207, and 5,658,737). Labels include chemiluminescent compounds, e.g., acridinium ester (“AE”) compounds that include standard AE and derivatives (e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,656,207, 5,658,737, and 5,639,604). Synthesis and methods of attaching labels to nucleic acids and detecting labels are well known (e.g., Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning, A Laboratory Manual, 2nd ed. (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Habor, N.Y., 1989), Chapter 10; U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,658,737, 5,656,207, 5,547,842, 5,283,174, and 4,581,333). More than one label, and more than one type of label, may be present on a particular probe, or detection may use a mixture of probes in which each probe is labeled with a compound that produces a detectable signal (e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,180,340 and 6,350,579).

As used herein, a “capture oligonucleotide” or “capture probe” refers to a nucleic acid oligomer that specifically hybridizes to a target sequence in a target nucleic acid by standard base pairing and joins to a binding partner on an immobilized probe to capture the target nucleic acid to a support. One example of a capture oligomer includes two binding regions: a sequence-binding region (e.g., target-specific portion) and an immobilized probe-binding region, usually on the same oligomer, although the two regions may be present on two different oligomers joined together by one or more linkers. Another embodiment of a capture oligomer uses a target-sequence binding region that includes random or non-random poly-GU, poly-GT, or poly U sequences to bind non-specifically to a target nucleic acid and link it to an immobilized probe on a support.

As used herein, an “immobilized oligonucleotide”, “immobilized probe” or “immobilized nucleic acid” refers to a nucleic acid binding partner that joins a capture oligomer to a support, directly or indirectly. An immobilized probe joined to a support facilitates separation of a capture probe bound target from unbound material in a sample. One embodiment of an immobilized probe is an oligomer joined to a support that facilitates separation of bound target sequence from unbound material in a sample. Supports may include known materials, such as matrices and particles free in solution, which may be made of nitrocellulose, nylon, glass, polyacrylate, mixed polymers, polystyrene, silane, polypropylene, metal, or other compositions, of which one embodiment is magnetically attractable particles. Supports may be monodisperse magnetic spheres (e.g., uniform size ±5%), to which an immobilized probe is joined directly (via covalent linkage, chelation, or ionic interaction), or indirectly (via one or more linkers), where the linkage or interaction between the probe and support is stable during hybridization conditions.

By “complementary” is meant that the nucleotide sequences of similar regions of two single-stranded nucleic acids, or to different regions of the same single-stranded nucleic acid have a nucleotide base composition that allow the single-stranded regions to hybridize together in a stable double-stranded hydrogen-bonded region under stringent hybridization or amplification conditions. Sequences that hybridize to each other may be completely complementary or partially complementary to the intended target sequence by standard nucleic acid base pairing (e.g. G:C, A:T or A:U pairing). By “sufficiently complementary” is meant a contiguous sequence that is capable of hybridizing to another sequence by hydrogen bonding between a series of complementary bases, which may be complementary at each position in the sequence by standard base pairing or may contain one or more residues, including abasic residues, that are not complementary. Sufficiently complementary contiguous sequences typically are at least 80%, or at least 90%, complementary to a sequence to which an oligomer is intended to specifically hybridize. Sequences that are “sufficiently complementary” allow stable hybridization of a nucleic acid oligomer with its target sequence under appropriate hybridization conditions, even if the sequences are not completely complementary. When a contiguous sequence of nucleotides of one single-stranded region is able to form a series of “canonical” hydrogen-bonded base pairs with an analogous sequence of nucleotides of the other single-stranded region, such that A is paired with U or T and C is paired with G, the nucleotides sequences are “completely” complementary, (e.g., Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning, A Laboratory Manual, 2^(nd) ed. (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., 1989) at §§1.90-1.91, 7.37-7.57, 9.47-9.51 and 11.47-11.57, particularly §§9.50-9.51, 11.12-11.13, 11.45-11.47 and 11.55-11.57). It is understood that ranges for percent identity are inclusive of all whole and partial numbers (e.g., at least 90% includes 90, 91, 93.5, 97.687 and etc.).

By “preferentially hybridize” or “specifically hybridize” is meant that under stringent hybridization assay conditions, probes hybridize to their target sequences, or replicates thereof, to form stable probe: target hybrids, while at the same time formation of stable probe: non-target hybrids is minimized Thus, a probe hybridizes to a target sequence or replicate thereof to a sufficiently greater extent than to a non-target sequence, to enable one having ordinary skill in the art to accurately quantitate the RNA replicates or complementary DNA (cDNA) of the target sequence formed during the amplification. Appropriate hybridization conditions are well known in the art, may be predicted based on sequence composition, or can be determined by using routine testing methods (e.g., Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning, A Laboratory Manual, 2^(nd) ed. (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., 1989) at §§1.90-1.91, 7.37-7.57, 9.47-9.51 and 11.47-11.57, particularly §§9.50-9.51, 11.12-11.13, 11.45-11.47 and 11.55-11.57).

By “nucleic acid hybrid” or “hybrid” or “duplex” is meant a nucleic acid structure containing a double-stranded, hydrogen-bonded region wherein each strand is complementary to the other, and wherein the region is sufficiently stable under stringent hybridization conditions to be detected by means including, but not limited to, chemiluminescent or fluorescent light detection, autoradiography, or gel electrophoresis. Such hybrids may comprise RNA:RNA, RNA:DNA, or DNA:DNA duplex molecules.

“Sample preparation” refers to any steps or method that treats a sample for subsequent amplification and/or detection of A. vaginae nucleic acids present in the sample. Samples may be complex mixtures of components of which the target nucleic acid is a minority component. Sample preparation may include any known method of concentrating components, such as microbes or nucleic acids, from a larger sample volume, such as by filtration of airborne or waterborne particles from a larger volume sample or by isolation of microbes from a sample by using standard microbiology methods. Sample preparation may include physical disruption and/or chemical lysis of cellular components to release intracellular components into a substantially aqueous or organic phase and removal of debris, such as by using filtration, centrifugation or adsorption. Sample preparation may include use of a nucleic acid oligonucleotide that selectively or non-specifically capture a target nucleic acid and separate it from other sample components (e.g., as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,110,678 and PCT Pub. No. WO 2008/016988).

“Separating” or “purifying” means that one or more components of a sample are removed or separated from other sample components. Sample components include target nucleic acids usually in a generally aqueous solution phase, which may also include cellular fragments, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and other nucleic acids. Separating or purifying removes at least 70%, or at least 80%, or at least 95% of the target nucleic acid from other sample components.

As used herein, a “DNA-dependent DNA polymerase” is an enzyme that synthesizes a complementary DNA copy from a DNA template. Examples are DNA polymerase I from E. coli, bacteriophage T7 DNA polymerase, or DNA polymerases from bacteriophages T4, Phi-29, M2, or T5. DNA-dependent DNA polymerases may be the naturally occurring enzymes isolated from bacteria or bacteriophages or expressed recombinantly, or may be modified or “evolved” forms which have been engineered to possess certain desirable characteristics, e.g., thermostability, or the ability to recognize or synthesize a DNA strand from various modified templates. All known DNA-dependent DNA polymerases require a complementary primer to initiate synthesis. It is known that under suitable conditions a DNA-dependent DNA polymerase may synthesize a complementary DNA copy from an RNA template. RNA-dependent DNA polymerases typically also have DNA-dependent DNA polymerase activity.

As used herein, a “DNA-dependent RNA polymerase” or “transcriptase” is an enzyme that synthesizes multiple RNA copies from a double-stranded or partially double-stranded DNA molecule having a promoter sequence that is usually double-stranded. The RNA molecules (“transcripts”) are synthesized in the 5′-to-3′ direction beginning at a specific position just downstream of the promoter. Examples of transcriptases are the DNA-dependent RNA polymerase from E. coli and bacteriophages T7, T3, and SP6.

As used herein, an “RNA-dependent DNA polymerase” or “reverse transcriptase” (“RT”) is an enzyme that synthesizes a complementary DNA copy from an RNA template. All known reverse transcriptases also have the ability to make a complementary DNA copy from a DNA template; thus, they are both RNA- and DNA-dependent DNA polymerases. RTs may also have an RNAse H activity. A primer is required to initiate synthesis with both RNA and DNA templates.

As used herein, a “selective RNAse” is an enzyme that degrades the RNA portion of an RNA:DNA duplex but not single-stranded RNA, double-stranded RNA or DNA. An exemplary selective RNAse is RNAse H. Enzymes possessing the same or similar activity as RNAse H may also be used. Selective RNAses may be endonucleases or exonucleases. Most reverse transcriptase enzymes contain an RNAse H activity in addition to their polymerase activities. However, other sources of the RNAse H are available without an associated polymerase activity. The degradation may result in separation of RNA from a RNA:DNA complex. Alternatively, a selective RNAse may simply cut the RNA at various locations such that portions of the RNA melt off or permit enzymes to unwind portions of the RNA. Other enzymes that selectively degrade RNA target sequences or RNA products of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.

The term “specificity,” in the context of an amplification and/or detection system, is used herein to refer to the characteristic of the system which describes its ability to distinguish between target and non-target sequences dependent on sequence and assay conditions. In terms of nucleic acid amplification, specificity generally refers to the ratio of the number of specific amplicons produced to the number of side-products (e.g., the signal-to-noise ratio). In terms of detection, specificity generally refers to the ratio of signal produced from target nucleic acids to signal produced from non-target nucleic acids.

The term “sensitivity” is used herein to refer to the precision with which a nucleic acid amplification reaction can be detected or quantitated. The sensitivity of an amplification reaction is generally a measure of the smallest copy number of the target nucleic acid that can be reliably detected in the amplification system, and will depend, for example, on the detection assay being employed, and the specificity of the amplification reaction, e.g., the ratio of specific amplicons to side-products.

As used herein, a “colony-forming unit” (“CFU”) is used as a measure of viable microorganisms in a sample. A CFU is an individual viable cell capable of forming on a solid medium a visible colony whose individual cells are derived by cell division from one parental cell. One CFU corresponds to 1000 copies of rRNA.

As used herein, the term “relative light unit” (“RLU”) is an arbitrary unit of measurement indicating the relative number of photons emitted by the sample at a given wavelength or band of wavelengths. RLU varies with the characteristics of the detection means used for the measurement.

The invention includes methods of amplifying and detecting A. vaginae nucleic acid, specifically sequences of the 16S rRNA of A. vaginae or genes encoding the 16S rRNA of A. vaginae. The invention includes oligonucleotide sequences that specifically recognize target sequences of the 16S rRNA of A. vaginae or their complementary sequences, or genes encoding the 16S rRNA of A. vaginae or their complementary sequences. Such oligonucleotide sequences may be used as amplification oligomers, which may include primers, promoter primers, blocked oligomers, and promoter provider oligomers, whose functions have been generally described previously (e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,399,491, 5,554,516 and 5,824,518, Kacian et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 7,374,885 A1, Becker et al.; and U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,683,195, 4,683,202, and 4,800,159, Mullis et al.). Other embodiments of the oligonucleotide sequences may be used as probes for detecting amplified sequences of 16S rRNA from A. vaginae.

Transcription Mediated Amplification.

Amplification methods that use TMA amplification include the following steps. Briefly, the target nucleic acid that contains the sequence to be amplified is provided as single stranded nucleic acid (e.g., ssRNA or ssDNA). Those skilled in the art will appreciate that conventional melting of double stranded nucleic acid (e.g., dsDNA) may be used to provide single-stranded target nucleic acids. A promoter primer binds specifically to the target nucleic acid at its target sequence and a reverse transcriptase (RT) extends the 3′ end of the promoter primer using the target strand as a template to create a cDNA copy of the target sequence strand, resulting in an RNA:DNA duplex. An RNase digests the RNA strand of the RNA:DNA duplex and a second primer binds specifically to its target sequence, which is located on the cDNA strand downstream from the promoter-primer end. RT synthesizes a new DNA strand by extending the 3′ end of the second primer using the first cDNA template to create a dsDNA that contains a functional promoter sequence. An RNA polymerase specific for the promoter sequence then initiates transcription to produce RNA transcripts that are about 100 to 1000 amplified copies (“amplicons”) of the initial target strand in the reaction. Amplification continues when the second primer binds specifically to its target sequence in each of the amplicons and RT creates a DNA copy from the amplicon RNA template to produce an RNA:DNA duplex. RNase in the reaction mixture digests the amplicon RNA from the RNA:DNA duplex and the promoter primer binds specifically to its complementary sequence in the newly synthesized DNA. RT extends the 3′ end of the promoter primer to create a dsDNA that contains a functional promoter to which the RNA polymerase binds to transcribe additional amplicons that are complementary to the target strand. The autocatalytic cycles of making more amplicon copies repeat during the course of the reaction resulting in about a billion-fold amplification of the target nucleic acid present in the sample. The amplified products may be detected in real-time during amplification, or at the end of the amplification reaction by using a probe that binds specifically to a target sequence contained in the amplified products. Detection of a signal resulting from the bound probes indicates the presence of the target nucleic acid in the sample.

Detection of the amplified products may be accomplished by a variety of methods. The nucleic acids may be associated with a surface that results in a physical change, such as a detectable electrical change. Amplified nucleic acids may be detected by concentrating them in or on a matrix and detecting the nucleic acids or dyes associated with them (e.g., an intercalating agent such as ethidium bromide or cyber green), or detecting an increase in dye associated with nucleic acid in solution phase. Other methods of detection may use nucleic acid probes that are complementary to a sequence in the amplified product and detecting the presence of the probe:product complex, or by using a complex of probes that may amplify the detectable signal associated with the amplified products (e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,424,413 and 5,451,503, Hogan et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,849,481, Urdea et al.). Directly or indirectly labeled probes that specifically associate with the amplified product provide a detectable signal that indicates the presence of the target nucleic acid in the sample. For example, if the target nucleic acid is the 16S rRNA of A. vaginae, the amplified product will contain a target sequence in or complementary to a sequence in the 16S rRNA of A. vaginae, and a probe will bind directly or indirectly to a sequence contained in the amplified product to indicate the presence of the 16S rRNA of A. vaginae in the tested sample.

Preferred embodiments of probes that hybridize to the complementary amplified sequences may be DNA or RNA oligomers, or oligomers that contain a combination of DNA and RNA nucleotides, or oligomers synthesized with a modified backbone, e.g., an oligomer that includes one or more 2′-methoxy substituted ribonucleotides. Probes used for detection of the amplified A. vaginae rRNA sequences may be unlabeled and detected indirectly (e.g., by binding of another binding partner to a moiety on the probe) or may be labeled with a variety of detectable labels. Preferred embodiments of labels include compounds that emit a detectable light signal, e.g., fluorophores or luminescent compounds that can be detected in a homogeneous mixture. More than one label, and more than one type of label, may be present on a particular probe, or detection may rely on using a mixture of probes in which each probe is labeled with a compound that produces a detectable signal (e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,180,340 and 6,350,579, Nelson). Labels may be attached to a probe by various means including covalent linkages, chelation, and ionic interactions, but preferably the label is covalently attached. Probes may be linear oligomers that do not substantially form conformations held by intramolecular bonds or oligomers that form conformations generally referred to as hairpins by using intramolecular hybridization. Preferred embodiments of linear oligomers generally include a chemiluminescent compound as the label, preferably an AE compound.

Preferred embodiments of a hairpin probes include the “molecular torch” (e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,849,412, 6,835,542, 6,534,274, and 6,361,945, Becker et al., the details of which are incorporated by reference herein) and the “molecular beacon.” (Tyagi et al., 1998, Nature Biotechnol. 16:49-53, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,118,801 and 5,312,728, Lizardi et al., the details of which are incorporated by reference herein). Methods for using such hairpin probes are well known in the art.

Oligomers that are not intended to be extended by a nucleic acid polymerase preferably include a blocker group that replaces the 3′OH to prevent enzyme-mediated extension of the oligomer in an amplification reaction. For example, blocked amplification oligomers and/or detection probes present during amplification preferably do not have a functional 3′OH and instead include one or more blocking groups located at or near the 3′ end. A blocking group near the 3′ end is preferably within five residues of the 3′ end and is sufficiently large to limit binding of a polymerase to the oligomer, and other preferred embodiments contain a blocking group covalently attached to the 3′ terminus. Many different chemical groups may be used to block the 3′ end, e.g., alkyl groups, non-nucleotide linkers, alkane-diol dideoxynucleotide residues, and cordycepin. A preferred method for detecting A. vaginae 16S rRNA sequences uses a transcription-associated amplification with a linear chemiluminescently labeled probe, more preferably, a linear AE labeled probe.

Preparation of samples for amplification and detection of A. vaginae 16S rRNA sequences may include methods of separating and/or concentrating organisms contained in a sample from other sample components. Sample preparation may also include routine methods of disrupting cells or lysing bacteria to release intracellular contents, including the 16S rRNA of A. vaginae or genetic sequences encoding the 16S rRNA of A. vaginae. Sample preparation before amplification may further include an optional step of target capture to specifically or non-specifically separate the target nucleic acids from other sample components. Nonspecific target capture methods may involve selective precipitation of nucleic acids from a substantially aqueous mixture, adherence of nucleic acids to a support that is washed to remove other sample components, or other means of physically separating nucleic acids from a mixture that contains A. vaginae nucleic acid and other sample components.

In a preferred embodiment, the 16S rRNA of A. vaginae or genes encoding the 16S rRNA of A. vaginae are selectively separated from other sample components by specifically hybridizing the A. vaginae nucleic acid to a capture oligomer specific for the A. vaginae 16S rRNA target sequence to form a target sequence:capture probe complex that is separated from sample components. A preferred method of specific target capture binds the A. vaginae 16S rRNA target:capture probe complex to an immobilized probe to form a target:capture probe immobilized probe complex that is separated from the sample and, optionally, washed to remove non-target sample components, as previously described (U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,110,678, 6,280,952, and 6,534,273, Weisburg et al., the details of which are incorporated by reference herein). Briefly, the capture probe oligomer includes a sequence that specifically binds to the A. vaginae 16S rRNA target sequence in the 16S rRNA of A. vaginae or in a gene encoding the 16S rRNA of A. vaginae and also includes a specific binding partner that attaches the capture probe with its bound target sequence to a solid support, to facilitate separating the target sequence from the sample components. In a preferred embodiment, the specific binding partner of the capture probe is a 3′ “tail” sequence that is not complementary to the A. vaginae 16S rRNA target sequence but that hybridizes to a complementary sequence on an immobilized probe attached to a solid support. Any sequence may be used in a tail region, which is generally about 5 to 50 nt long, and preferred embodiments include a substantially homopolymeric tail of about 10 to 40 nt (e.g., A₁₀ to A₄₀), more preferably about 14 to 33 nt (e.g., A₁₄ to A₃₀ or T₃A₁₄ to T₃A₃₀), that bind to a complementary immobilized sequence (e.g., poly-T) attached to a solid support, e.g., a matrix or particle. Target capture preferably occurs in a solution phase mixture that contains one or more capture oligomers that hybridize specifically to the 16S rRNA of A. vaginae or gene target sequence under hybridizing conditions, usually at a temperature higher than the Tm of the tail sequence:immobilized probe sequence duplex. Then, the A. vaginae 16S rRNA target:capture probe complex is captured by adjusting the hybridization conditions so that the capture probe tail hybridizes to the immobilized probe, and the entire complex on the solid support is then separated from other sample components. The support with the attached immobilized probe:capture probe: A. vaginae 16S rRNA target sequence may be washed one or more times to further remove other sample components. Preferred embodiments use a particulate solid support, such as paramagnetic beads, so that particles with the attached A. vaginae 16S rRNA target:capture probe immobilized probe complex may be suspended in a washing solution and retrieved from the washing solution, preferably by using magnetic attraction. To limit the number of handling steps, the A. vaginae 16S rRNA target nucleic acid may be amplified by simply mixing the A. vaginae 16S rRNA target sequence in the complex on the support with amplification oligomers and proceeding with amplification steps.

Assays for detection of the A. vaginae 16S rRNA nucleic acid may optionally include a non-A. vaginae 16S rRNA internal control (IC) nucleic acid that is amplified and detected in the same assay reaction mixtures by using amplification and detection oligomers specific for the IC sequence. IC nucleic acid sequences can be synthetic nucleic acid sequences that are spiked into a sample or the IC nucleic acid sequences may be cellular component. IC nucleic acid sequences that are cellular components can be from exogenous cellular sources or endogenous cellular sources relative to the specimen. An exogenous cellular source, for example, is a cell that is added into the sample and that then flows through the sample processing procedures along with the specimen. A more particular example would be the addition of a HeLa cell, Jurkat cell, SiLa cell or other to the sample medium along with the specimen that is collected for testing (e.g., a vaginal swab specimen). The specimen and the exogenous cells are then processed, amplified and detected. The specimen being amplified and detected using amplification and detection oligomers for identifying the target sequence of interest and the exogenous cells being amplified and detected using amplification and detection oligomers for identifying an IC target sequence such as 18S rRNA. An endogenous cellular source is a cellular source that would naturally be obtained when gathering the specimen. One example; epithelial cells will present when obtaining a specimen via a vaginal swab. Similar then to the above exemplary exogenous cells process described, the specimen and the endogenous cellular source are both processed, amplified and detected. The specimen being amplified and detected using amplification and detection oligomers for identifying the target sequence of interest and the endogenous cells being amplified and detected using amplification and detection oligomers for identifying an IC target sequence; typically a housekeeping gene present in the endogenous cellular source, such as a beta-globulin gene. (See e.g., Poljak et al., J. Clin. Virol (2002), 25: S89-97; U.S. Pat. No. 6,410,321; and U.S. Pub. No. 2004-0023288). Use of a cellular source IC allows for a control from sample collection through detection. Synthetic nucleic acid sequences provide for control of amplification and detection.

In one aspect, amplification and detection of a signal from the amplified IC sequence demonstrates that the assay reagents, conditions, and performance of assay steps were properly used in the assay if no signal is obtained for the intended target A. vaginae nucleic acid (e.g., samples that test negative for the 16S rRNA of A. vaginae). An IC may also be used as an internal calibrator for the assay when a quantitative result is desired, i.e., the signal obtained from the IC amplification and detection is used to set a parameter used in an algorithm for quantitating the amount of A. vaginae nucleic acid in a sample based on the signal obtained for amplified an A. vaginae 16S rRNA target sequence. ICs are also useful for monitoring the integrity of one or more steps in an assay. A preferred embodiment of a synthetic IC nucleic acid sequence is a randomized sequence that has been derived from a naturally occurring source (e.g., an HIV sequence that has been rearranged in a random manner). Another preferred IC nucleic acid sequence may be an RNA transcript isolated from a naturally occurring source or synthesized in vitro, such as by making transcripts from a cloned randomized sequence such that the number of copies of IC included in an assay may be accurately determined The primers and probe for the IC target sequence are configured and synthesized by using any well known method provided that the primers and probe function for amplification of the IC target sequence and detection of the amplified IC sequence using substantially the same assay conditions used to amplify and detect the A. vaginae target sequence. In preferred embodiments that include a target capture-based purification step, it is preferred that a target capture probe specific for the IC target be included in the assay in the target capture step so that the IC is treated in the assay in a manner analogous to that for the intended A. vaginae analyte in all of the assay steps.

Assays for detection of the A. vaginae 16S rRNA nucleic acid may optionally include a pseudotarget. A “pseudotarget” is an oligonucleotide that can be co-amplified with the target polynucleotide in a single amplification reaction. The pseudotarget and target polynucleotide may be amplified using the same set of oligonucleotide primers. The pseudotarget and the target polynucleotide will be non-identical molecules so that the target probe will not detect the pseudotarget.

Amplification methods using pseudotargets are useful for quantifying target polynucleotides present in a test sample. These methods includes steps for: (1) obtaining a test sample that contains an unknown amount of an target polynucleotide; (2) combining a predetermined amount of this test sample with a predetermined amount of a pseudotarget; (3) co-amplifying in an amplification reaction the target polynucleotide and the pseudotarget to produce a collection of amplification products that includes both a target amplicon and a pseudo target amplicon; and (4) quantifying the target amplicon without relying on information regarding the amount of pseudotarget amplicon produced in the reaction, whereby the quantity of target amplicon is related in a dose-dependent manner to the unknown amount target polynucleotide that was present in the original test sample. Amplification reactions that include a pseudo target have been shown under certain conditions to provide uniform results having less variability than similar amplification reactions lacking pseudotarget. This is particularly true for amplification of samples containing a low level of target nucleic acid. Using a pseudotarget in an amplification reaction changes the probe RLU output from an all-or-none response to a response wherein the RLU output is proportional to target input. Thus, pseudotarget allows for adjustments in assay sensitivity by changing the cutoff used to classify a sample as positive or negative, rather than re-optimizing the entire amp system to get lower sensitivity through lower amplification efficiency. Pseudotargets are further advantageous for detecting low-levels of target nucleic acid in a specimen. (See also, U.S. Pat. No. 6,294,338).

Amplification and Detection of the 16S rRNA of A. vaginae

For amplification and detection of sequences found in the 16S rRNA of A. vaginae sequences, oligomers were designed that act as amplification oligomers and detection probes by comparing known sequences of the 16S rRNA of A. vaginae or gene sequences encoding the 16S rRNA of A. vaginae and selecting sequences that are common to A. vaginae isolates, but preferably are not completely shared with nucleic acid sequences of other non-target species of bacteria. Sequence comparisons were conducted by using known A. vaginae 16S rRNA sequences (RNA or genes) of the following Atopobium species: Atopobium minutum, Atopobium vaginae, Atopobium parvulum, and Atopobium rimae. Specific regions were selected and the oligomers were characterized by using standard laboratory methods. Then, selected oligomer sequences were further tested by making different combinations of amplification oligomers (Table 1) and performing transcription-mediated amplification reactions comprising these amplification oligomer combinations and either synthetic A. vaginae 16S rRNA target sequences or A. vaginae 16S rRNA purified from various Atopobium species grown in culture. Amplification efficiencies of the A. vaginae 16S rRNA target sequences by the various amplification combinations were then determined. The relative efficiencies of different combinations of amplification oligomers were monitored by detecting the amplified products of the amplification reactions, generally by binding a labeled probe (Table 2) to the amplified products and detecting the relative amount of signal that indicated the amount of amplified product made. Generally, for initial testing of amplification efficiency, linear detection probes labeled with an AE compound were hybridized to the amplified products and detected by using a hybridization protection assay that selectively degrades the AE label in unhybridized probes and detects the signal from hybridized probes (substantially as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,283,174, 5,656,207, 5,658,737 and 5,824,475). Preferred regions and oligomers were identified.

Embodiments of amplification oligomers for A. vaginae 16S rRNA sequences include those shown in Table 1. Amplification oligomers include those that may function as primer oligomers, promoter primer oligomers, and promoter provider oligomers, with promoter sequences shown in lower case in Table 1. Some embodiments are the target-specific sequence of a promoter primer oligomer listed in Table 1, which optionally may be attached to the 3′ end of any known promoter sequence. One non limiting example of a promoter sequence specific for the RNA polymerase of bacteriophage T7 is SEQ ID NO:25. Preferred embodiments of amplification oligomers may include a mixture of DNA and RNA bases, and 2′ methoxy linkages for the backbone joining RNA bases. Embodiments of amplification oligomers may be modified by synthesizing the oligomer as 3′ blocked to make them optimal for use in a single-primer transcription-associated amplification reaction, i.e., functioning as blocking molecules or promoter provider oligomers. SEQ ID NOS:2, 9, 11, 12, 19, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 36 & 38 in Table 1 are preferred embodiments of primer oligomers. SEQ ID NOS:3, 10, 13, 20, 35 & 37 in Table 1 are preferred embodiments of promoter primer oligomers. Promoter regions of SEQ ID NOS:3, 10, 13, 20, 35 & 37 are shown in lowercase lettering; target-binding regions are shown in uppercase lettering. SEQ ID NOS:27, 28, 29, 30, 36 & 38 of Table 1 are the target binding regions of SEQ ID NOS:3, 10, 13, 20, 35 & 37, respectively. SEQ ID NOS:27, 28, 29, 30, 36 & 38 can be used as second primer members of an amplification oligomer combination, or can be joined with promoter sequences, as described, to form promoter primers or promoter providers if 3′ blocked.

FIGS. 2A-B are an exemplary amplification oligomer combination (SEQ ID NOS:2 & 27) and a resultant amplicon (SEQ ID NO:43) In these illustrations, the amplification oligomer combination comprises two primer oligomer members. In amplification oligomer combinations wherein a promoter primer is used, the amplicon will incorporate the non-target-specific promoter sequence, thus comprising a target-specific sequence and a non-target-specific sequence. For example, SEQ ID NO:3 is a promoter primer targeting the same nucleic acids of A. vaginae as does SEQ ID NO:27, but SEQ ID NO:3 further comprises a promoter sequence. A resultant amplicon from a SEQ ID NOS:2 & 3 amplification oligomer combination reaction will incorporate the non-target specific promoter sequence and the target specific sequence, illustrated as SEQ ID NO:43.

TABLE 1 A. vaginae Amplification Oligomer Sequences Sequence 5′-->3′ SEQ ID NO. CTTTCAGCAGGGACGAGG  2 GGATTAGATACCCTGGTAGTCC  9 ACTGAGACACGGCCCAAACTCCTACGGGAGG 11 ACTCCTACGGGAGGCAGCAGTAG 12 AAGTGGCGAACGGCTGAGTAA 19 aatttaatacgactcactatagggagaTATC  3 AGGAGCGGATAGGGGTTGA TATCAGGAGCGGATAGGGGTTGA 27 aatttaatacgactcactatagggagaCCCGT 10 CAATTCCTTTGAG CCCGTCAATTCCTTTGAG 28 aatttaatacgactcactatagggagaTTACC 13 GCGGCTGCTGGCACG TTACCGCGGCTGCTGGCACG 29 aatttaatacgactcactatagggagaATCAT 20 TGCCTTGGTAGGCC ATCATTGCCTTGGTAGGCC 30 GTGGCGAACGGCTGAGTAACAC 31 AACGGCTGAGTAACACGTG 32 aatttaatacgactcactatagggagaGGAGTAT 35 CCGGTATTAACCTCGG GGAGTATCCGGTATTAACCTCGG 36 aatttaatacgactcactatagggagaGGAGTAT 37 CCGGTATTAACCTC GGAGTATCCGGTATTAACCTC 38 aatttaatacgactcactatagggaga 25

Embodiments of detection probe oligomers for amplified products of A. vaginae 16S rRNA sequences or genes encoding A. vaginae 16S rRNA are shown in Table 2. Preferred embodiments of linear detection probe oligomers are labeled with a chemiluminescent AE compound which is attached to the probe sequence via a linker (substantially as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,585,481 and 5,639,604, particularly at column 10, line 6 to column 11, line 3, and in Example 8). Examples of preferred labeling positions are a central region of the probe oligomer and near a region of A:T base pairing, at a 3′ or 5′ terminus of the oligomer, and at or near a mismatch site with a known sequence that is not the desired target sequence. Examples of preferred embodiments of such AE-labeled oligomers include those with a linker between: residues 10 and 11 of SEQ ID NO:4, residues 14 and 15 of SEQ ID NOS:14 & 33, residues 15 and 16 of SEQ ID NO:15, residues 9 and 10 of SEQ ID NO:16, residues 11 and 12 of SEQ ID NO:17, residues 12 and 13 of SEQ ID NO:18, and residues 7 and 8 of SEQ ID NO:34. Detection probes may be used with helper probes that are unlabeled and facilitate binding of the labeled probe to its target as previously described (U.S. Pat. No. 5,030,557, Hogan et al.). FIG. 2C illustrates the use of a detection oligomer for detecting an amplicon (in this illustration, SEQ ID NO:43).

TABLE 2 A. vaginae Detection Probe Oligomer Sequences Sequence SEQ ID NO. GGUCAGGAGUUAAAUCUGG  4 TCAGCAGGGACGAGGCCGCAAGGTGA 14 GTTAGGTCAGGAGTTAAATCTGG 15 CGGTCTGTTAGGTCAGGAGTT 16 GGTCAGGAGTTAAATCTGG 17 CCGAGGTTAATACCGGATACTC 18 GGCAACCTGCCCTTTGCACTGGGATA 33 TGCCCTTTGCACTGGGATAGCCTCGGGA 34

Embodiments of capture probe oligomers for use in sample preparation to separate A. vaginae 16S rRNA target nucleic acids from other sample components include those that contain the target-specific sequences of SEQ ID NO:21 (CTACTGCTGCCTCCCGTAGGAG), SEQ ID NO:22 (GGACTACCAGGGTATCTAATCCTG), SEQ ID NO:23 (CGACACGAGCTGACGACAGCCATGCA), SEQ ID NO:24 (GACGTCATCCCCACCTTCCT), SEQ ID NO:40 (CCACCAACTAGCTAACAGG), and SEQ ID NO:42 (AACCCGGCTACCCATCATTGCCTTGG). Preferred embodiments of the capture probes include a 3′ tail region covalently attached to the target-specific sequence to serve as a binding partner that binds a hybridization complex made up of the target nucleic acid and the capture probe to an immobilized probe on a support. Preferred embodiments of capture probes that include the target-specific sequences of SEQ ID NOS:21, 22, 23, 24, 40 & 42, further include 3′ tail regions made up of substantially homopolymeric sequences, such as dT₃A₃₀ polymers. One particularly preferred embodiment of capture probes includes: SEQ ID NOS:5, 6, 7, 8, 39 & 41.

Reagents used in target capture, amplification and detection steps in the examples described herein generally include one or more of the following. Sample Transport Solution contained 15 mM sodium phosphate monobasic, 15 mM sodium phosphate dibasic, 1 mM EDTA, 1 mM EGTA, and 3% (w/v) lithium lauryl sulfate (LLS), at pH 6.7. Lysis buffer contained 790 mM HEPES, 230 mM succinic acid, 10% (w/v) LLS, and 680 mM lithium hydroxide monohydrate. Specimen Dilution Buffer contained 300 mM HEPES, 3% (w/v) LLS, 44 mM LiCl, 120 mM LiOH, 40 mM EDTA, at pH 7.4. Target Capture Reagent contained 250 mM HEPES, 310 mM lithium hydroxide, 1.88 M lithium chloride, 100 mM EDTA, at pH 6.4, and 250 μg/ml of paramagnetic particles (0.7-1.05 μ particles, SERA-MAG™ MG-CM, Seradyn, Inc., Indianapolis, Ind.) with (dT)₁₄ oligomers covalently bound thereto. Wash Solution used in target capture contained 10 mM HEPES, 150 mM NaCl, 6.5 mM NaOH, 1 mM EDTA, 0.3% (v/v) ethanol, 0.02% (w/v) methyl paraben, 0.01% (w/v) propyl paraben, and 0.1% (w/v) sodium lauryl sulfate, at pH 7.5. Amplification reagent was a concentrated mixture that was mixed with other reaction components (e.g., sample or specimen dilution components) to produce a mixture containing 47.6 mM Na-HEPES, 12.5 mM N-acetyl-L-cysteine, 2.5% TRITON™ X-100, 54.8 mM KCl, 23 mM MgCl₂, 3 mM NaOH, 0.35 mM of each dNTP (dATP, dCTP, dGTP, dTTP), 7.06 mM rATP, 1.35 mM rCTP, 1.35 mM UTP, 8.85 mM rGTP, 0.26 mM Na₂EDTA, 5% v/v glycerol, 2.9% trehalose, 0.225% ethanol, 0.075% methylparaben, 0.015% propylparaben, and 0.002% Phenol Red, at pH 7.5-7.6. Amplification oligomers (primers, promoter primers, blocker oligomers, promoter provider oligomers), and optionally probes, may be added to the reaction mixture in the amplification reagent or separate from the amplification reagent. Enzymes were added to TMA reaction mixtures at about 90 U/μl of MMLV reverse transcriptase (RT) and about 20 U/μl of T7 RNA polymerase per reaction (1 U of RT incorporates 1 nmol of dTTP in 10 min at 37.degree.C. using 200-400 micromolar oligo dT-primed polyA template, and 1 U of T7 RNA polymerase incorporates 1 nmol of ATP into RNA in 1 hr at 37.degree.C. using a T7 promoter in a DNA template). Probe Reagent that contained AE-labeled detection probes was a solution made up of either (a) 100 mM lithium succinate, 3% (w/v) LLS, 10 mM mercaptoethanesulfonate, and 3% (w/v) polyvinylpyrrolidon, or (b) 100 mM lithium succinate, 0.1% (w/v) LLS, and 10 mM mercaptoethanesulfonate. Hybridization Reagent for AE-labeled probe binding to target nucleic acids was made up of 100 mM succinic acid, 2% (w/v) LLS, 100 mM lithium hydroxide, 15 mM aldrithiol-2, 1.2 M lithium chloride, 20 mM EDTA, and 3.0% (v/v) ethanol, at pH 4.7. Selection Reagent for preferentially hydrolyzing an AE label on unbound detection probes contained 600 mM boric acid, 182.5 mM NaOH, 1% (v/v) octoxynol (TRITON® X-100) at pH 8.5. Detection Reagents for producing a chemiluminescent response from AE labels comprised Detect Reagent I (1 mM nitric acid and 32 mM H₂O₂), and Detect Reagent II (1.5 M NaOH) to neutralize the pH (as in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,283,174, 5,656,744, and 5,658,737). All of the reagent addition and mixing steps may be performed manually, using a combination of manual and automated steps, or by using a completely automated system. The transcription mediated amplification (TMA) reactions use substantially the procedures as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,399,491 and 5,554,516, Kacian et al., which are incorporated by reference herein. The amplification methods that use single-primer transcription associated amplification substantially use the procedures already disclosed in detail in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,399,491 to Kacian et al. and 7,374,885 to Becker et al., the details of which are incorporated by reference herein. The use and detection of signal from AE-labeled probes to detect hybridization complexes with target sequences use the procedures already disclosed in detail in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,283,174 and 5,656,744, Arnold et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,658,737, Nelson et al., the details of which are incorporated by reference herein.

By using various combinations of these amplification oligomers and AE-labeled detection probes to provide a detectable chemiluminescent signal, A. vaginae 16S rRNA sequences were specifically detected when the sample contained about 100 copies of the A. vaginae 16S rRNA target sequence. Some preferred amplification oligomer combinations are SEQ ID NOS:2 & 3; and SEQ ID NOS:2 & 27. A particularly preferred amplification oligomer combination is SEQ ID NOS: 2 & 3. Some preferred combinations of amplification and detection oligomers include SEQ ID NOS:2, 3 & 4; SEQ ID NOS:2, 3 & 15; SEQ ID NOS:2, 3 & 16; SEQ ID NOS:2, 3 & 17; SEQ ID NOS:2, 27 & 4; SEQ ID NOS:2, 27 & 15; SEQ ID NOS:2, 27 & 16; and SEQ ID NOS:2, 27 & 17. A particularly preferred amplification and detection oligomer combination is SEQ ID NOS:2, 3 & 4. Setting a cut-off value at 50,000 RLUs, this particularly preferred amplification and detection oligomer combination showed a sensitivity down to as few as 1000 CFU per reaction of A. vaginae when using as little as 20 pM/reaction of each amplification oligomer. Setting an RLU cut-off value of 100,000, the preferred amplification and detection oligomer combination showed a sensitivity down to as few as 10,000 CFU per reaction of A. vaginae when using as little as 10 pM/reaction of each amplification oligomer.

Detecting A. vaginae to diagnosis bacterial vaginosis in a clinical sample will preferably use higher RLU cut-off values than those used for detecting the presence/absence of A. vaginae from a sample. This is because for diagnosis of BV, normal samples can be positive for relatively low amounts of A. vaginae while BV samples will have relatively greater amounts of A. vaginae. So for diagnosis, a higher RLU cut-off value is one approach to differentiating normal levels of A. vaginae from elevated levels present in a sample. Depending on the desired application for the amplification and detection oligomers described herein, a skilled artisan will set an appropriate RLU cut-off value, with lower values being useful for detecting all A. vaginae present in a sample, and higher RLU values being useful for detecting a threshold amount of A. vaginae in a sample.

Additional microbe detection assays can be similarly performed for determining the presence and/or relative amount of a plurality of microbes implicated in BV. By way of example only, such plurality of microbes can include one or more of anerobic gram-positive cocci; Megasphaera sp.; Lactobacillus sp.; Lactobacillus iners; Lactobacillus crispatus group; Lactobacillus gasseri group; Gardnerella sp; Gardnerella vaginalis; Trichamonas sp; Trichamonas vaginalis; Candida sp; Eggerthella sp.; Bacterium from the order Clostridiales; Clostridium-like sp.; Prevotella sp.; Prevotella bivia group; Prevotella buccalis group; Atopobium sp.; Atopobium vaginae; Enterobacteria; Peptostreptococcus micros; Aerococcus christensenii; Leptotrichia amnionii; Peptoniphilus sp.; Dialister sp.; Mycoplasma hominis; Sneathia sanguinegens; Anaerococcus tetradius; Mobiluncus sp.; Mobiluncus hominis; Eggerthella hongkongensis; Megasphaera sp; Leptotrichia sanguinegens and Finegoldia magna. Assays may be performed separately or multiplexed. Thus, a diagnosis of BV can include identifying a plurality of microbes and optionally determining their relative abundances in a sample.

The following examples illustrate some of the embodiments of the invention for detection of A. vaginae 16S rRNA target sequences.

EXAMPLE 1 Amplification Oligomer Titration with A. vaginae 16S rRNA Target

In this example, known numbers of A. vaginae 16S rRNA sequences from A. vaginae were amplified in TMA reactions using primer SEQ ID NO:2 and promoter primer SEQ ID NO:3 amplification oligomers. The amplified products were detected by using the probe oligomer SEQ ID NO:4 labeled with AE between nt 10 and 11 of the detection oligomer probe sequence. An initial target capture step was performed using SEQ ID NOS:5 & 6 oligomers.

Briefly, target specimens were prepared by serially diluting a stock supply of A vaginae cells obtained from American Type Cell Culture (Manassas, Va. Cat No. BAA-55). The stock supply was 1.25 E6 CFU/mL of A. vaginae and was diluted to 100,000, 10,000, 1,000, 100 and 0 CFU/mL using dilution buffer. A. vaginae cells were lysed using lysis buffer and incubating at 95.degree.C. for 10 minutes. Lysis buffer also protected the released target RNA from RNase degradation. A. vaginae target rRNA was isolated from the lysis buffer using target capture oligomers and a magnetic bead procedure as is generally described. Amplification oligomers SEQ ID NOS:2-3 were then tested against each of these target dilution amounts using four concentrations of oligomers; 40 pM/reaction each, 30 pM/reaction each, 20 pM/reaction each and 10 pM/reaction each. Five replications of each reaction condition were assayed by TMA and hybridization protection assay using an SB100 Dry Heat Bath/Vortexer (Gen-Probe Incorporated, San Diego, Calif. Cat #5524). Reaction wells containing target dilution were mixed with amplification reagent and one of the various concentrations of amplification oligomers. Blank reaction wells containing oligomerless amplification reagent were included for each reaction condition. Reaction wells were amplified in a TMA reaction using substantially the procedures described previously in detail (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,399,491 and 5,554,516, Kacian et al.). Briefly, the reaction mixture (about 0.08 ml) containing amplification reagent, target nucleic acid, and amplification oligomers was mixed, covered with silicon oil (0.2 ml) to prevent evaporation, and incubated for 10 min at 62.degree.C. and then for 5 min at 42.degree.C., and then the enzyme reagent (0.025 ml containing reverse transcriptase and T7 RNA polymerase) was added, and the reaction mixtures were incubated for 60 min at 42.degree.C.

Following amplification, detection of the amplified products involved mixing the amplification mixture with a labeled detection probe oligomer of SEQ ID NO:4 in an amount determined to produce a maximum detectable signal of about 5,000,000 relative light units (“RLU”) from the hybridized labeled probe). The mixtures of probe and amplified sequences were treated to bind the probe to the amplified product and detect the chemiluminescent signal produced from hybridized probes substantially as described previously (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,283,174 and 5,639,604, Arnold Jr. et al.). Briefly, the probe and amplified product mixtures were incubated for 20 min at 62.degree.C., then cooled at room temperature for about 5 min and selection reagent (0.25 ml) was added, mixed, and incubated 10 min at 62.degree.C. followed by room temperature for 15 min to hydrolyze the label on unbound probes. Chemiluminescent signal from AE on bound probes was produced by adding detect reagent I, incubating, adding detect reagent II, and detecting by measuring RLU using a luminometer (e.g., LEADER®, Gen-Probe Incorporated, San Diego, Calif.). The results of these assays are shown below as the range and average RLU for five assays performed on each of the amplification oligomer conditions shown. In all cases, negative controls (reaction wells containing 0 CFU/mL of target) provided a background signal of between 734 and 1,055 RLU. Blank wells provided a signal of between 15 and 22 RLU. As few as 10 pM/reaction of amplification oligomers SEQ ID NOS:2 & 3 in a TMA reaction were able to amplify as few as 100 CFU/mL of A. vaginae 16S rRNA target sequence to produce a detectable signal with AE-labeled probe of SEQ ID NO:4. (See Table 3). These results show that increasing amplification oligomer concentration corresponded to an increasing RLU signal over the various CFU/mL of A. vaginae cell input.

TABLE 3 Amplification Oligomer Titration Results Amp. oligos Amp. oligos Amp. oligos Amp. oligos Target 10 pM/rxn each 20 pM/rxn each 30 pM/rxn each 40 pM/rxn each Source RLU range RLU range RLU range RLU range CFU/mL (RLU Avg: sd) (RLU Avg: sd) (RLU Avg: sd) (RLU Avg: sd) BAA- 0 824-887  935-1055 805-943 734-826 55 (867: 25) (983: 48)  (877: 62) (768: 38) BAA- 100 1261-1680  4153-19063 10343-11784 24193-40979 55 (1525: 166) (7776: 6412) (11228: 600)  (30569: 6776) BAA- 1000  6716-12221 42096-66488  80957-132772  88752-564608 55  (9816: 2030) (54164: 10452)  (98157: 20929)  (412606: 190870) BAA- 10000  84338-105007  445534-1982936  586845-1773054 3749552-4380873 55 (94746: 9091) (802197: 660964) (1272793: 436813) (3854572: 316272) BAA- 100000 391920-880748 4654952-6285906 4704282-6477956 6421967-6977231 55  (681437: 198212) (5561972: 641195)  (6050155: 757582) (6623206: 232342) Blank 16-22 16-21 16-19 15-19 (19.6) (18.6) (17) (16.6)

EXAMPLE 2 Varied Amplification Oligomer Concentrations

In this example, 10,000 CFU/mL of A. vaginae cells from a stock supply was amplified in a TMA reaction using varied amplification oligomer concentrations. Primer SEQ ID NO:2 was tested at 3.8, 10, 25, 40 & 46.2 pM/mL. Promoter primer SEQ ID NO:3 was tested at 3.8, 10, 25, 40 & 46.2 pM/mL. An initial target capture step was performed using target capture oligomers SEQ ID NOS:5-6. Amplicon detection was performed using detection probe SEQ ID NO:4.

A stock supply of A. vaginae cells at 1.25 E6 CFU/mL was diluted to 10,000 CFU/mL. Cells were lysed using lysis buffer and the target nucleic acids were isolated using a magnetic bead target capture procedure. Isolated nucleic acids were then added to five reaction wells for each amplification oligomer condition tested. Nine amplification oligomer conditions were prepared as follows (SEQ ID NO:2-SEQ ID NO:3): 10 pM/rxn-10 pM/rxn; 10 pM/rxn-40 pM/rxn; 40 pM/rxn-10 pM/rxn; 40 pM/rxn-40 pM/rxn; 25 pM/rxn-3.8 pM/rxn; 25 pM/rxn-46.2 pM/rxn; 3.8 pM/rxn-25 pM/rxn; 46.2 pM/rxn-25 pM/rxn; and 25 pM/rxn-25 pM/rxn. An additional 5 reaction wells having 0 CFU of A. vaginae cells, 40 pM/rxn of SEQ ID NO:2 and 40 pM/rxn of SEQ ID NO:3 were prepared as negative control.

The reactions were performed using a TMA and hybridization protection assay, as discussed. Reaction wells containing target nucleic acids from 10,000 CFU/mL of A. vaginae cells were mixed with amplification reagent and one of the amplification oligomer conditions. Reaction wells from the 0 CFU negative control were mixed with amplification reagent and 40 pM/rxn of each of SEQ ID NOS:2-3. Reaction wells were then amplified in a TMA reaction as generally described. Following amplification, detection of the amplified products was performed as described using a labeled detection probe oligomer of SEQ ID NO:4. The mixtures of probe and amplicon were incubated for 20 min at 62.degree.C., then cooled at room temperature for about 5 min and selection reagent (0.25 ml) was added, mixed, and incubated 10 min at 62.degree.C. followed by room temperature for 15 min to hydrolyze the label on unbound probes. Chemiluminescent signal from AE on bound probes was produced by adding detect reagent I, incubating, adding detect reagent II, and detecting by measuring RLU using a LEADER® luminometer. The results of these assays are shown below in Table 4. In this assay RLU increases correspond more closely with increases in the primer oligomer concentration than with increases in the promoter primer concentration.

TABLE 4 Amplification Oligomer Concentration Results CFU SEQ ID NO: 2- input SEQ ID NO3 Average RLU (SD) Range RLU 0 40-40 798 725-962 10,000 10-10 212,697 (123,007)  74,635-393,066 10,000 10-40 309,104 (153,575)  45,279-395,736 10,000 40-10 4,130,915 (1,053,463) 3,103,942-5,898,362 10,000 40-40 5,220,384 (678,104) 4,375,509-5,965,335 10,000  25-3.8 614,797 (217,518) 298,186-849,483 10,000  25-46.2 1,621,922 (794,882)  249,806-2,278,124 10,000 3.8-25  25,453 (3,903) 20,082-30,796 10,000 46.2-25  6,118,494 (326,660) 5,796,174-6,618,642 10,000 25-25 2,206,064 (178,637) 1,960,679-2,368,017

EXAMPLE 3 Sensitivity Testing of Amplification Oligomers to A. vaginae Target Nucleic Acid

To provide sample conditions similar to those from clinical specimen, vaginal swabs were collected from subjects shown to be negative for A. vaginae using the above detection compositions and methods. The negative specimens were randomly separated into two groups and each group was pooled in Sample Transport Solution. The pooled specimens were then further separated and were spiked with 0, 100, 1,000, 10,000 or 100,000 CFU/mL of A. vaginae cells from stock sample. Following incubation in lysis buffer and isolation of nucleic acids using target capture oligomers and magnetic bead separation, the target nucleic acids were amplified and detected.

Each condition for the two pools were then amplified in triplicate using SEQ ID NOS 2-3 amplification oligomers followed by detection using SEQ ID NO:4 detection probe. The amplification reaction proceeded as is generally described herein using TMA, hybridization protection and SB100 platform, as generally described herein. Reaction wells containing target nucleic acids from 0, 100, 1,000, 10,000 or 100,000 CFU/mL of A. vaginae cells were mixed with amplification reagent and the amplification oligomers. The SEQ ID NO:2 primer oligomer was at a 50 pM/rxn concentration and the SEQ ID NO:3 promoter primer oligomer was at a 20 pM/rxn concentration. Blank wells containing neither A. vaginae cells nor amplification oligomers (oligoless amplification reagent only) were also included in the reaction. Reaction wells were then amplified in a TMA reaction as generally described. Detection of the amplified products was performed using a labeled detection probe oligomer of SEQ ID NO:4. The mixtures of probe and amplicon were incubated for 20 min at 62.degree.C., cooled at room temperature for about 5 min, and selection reagent (0.25 ml) was added, mixed, and incubated 10 min at 62.degree.C. followed by room temperature for 15 min to hydrolyze the label on unbound probes. Chemiluminescent signal from AE on bound probes was produced by adding detect reagent I, incubating, adding detect reagent II, and detecting by measuring RLU using a LEADER® luminometer. The results of these assays are shown below in Table 5.

TABLE 5 Amplification Oligomer Sensitivity Conditions Pool # CFU Avg RLU (SD) RLU Range Blank Blank 18 16-19 1 0 905 (91)  786-1,015 1 100 5,436 (562) 4,843-5,960 1 1,000 47,080 (1,295) 45,823-48,409 1 10,000 445,808 (88,062) 373,967-544,051 1 100,000 4,340,659 (121,451) 4,200,897-4,400,520 Blank Blank 20 17-23 2 0 928 (50)  890-1,015 2 100 3,892 (391) 3,562-4,324 2 1,000 25,600 (713) 24,809-26,194 2 10,000 258,231 (23,520) 243,689-285,366 2 100,000 2,316,486 (233,864) 2,063,622-2,524,998

From these data, the A. vaginae amplification and detection oligomers are sensitive to 10,000 CFU/mL. A. vaginae bacterium is reportedly present at low levels in about 10% of normal (non-bacterial vaginosis) specimen. In bacterial vaginosis, the levels of A. vaginae are reportedly much higher than normal levels. Thus, depending on the objective of an amplification and detection assay, the RLU cut-off can be adjusted. For example, for detecting all A. vaginae in a specimen a low RLU cut-off can be used, whereas, detecting levels of A. vaginae that indicate bacterial vaginosis disorder can use higher RLU values.

EXAMPLE 4 Specific Amplification and Detection of A. vaginae Target Sequences

TMA reactions were performed on two cross-reactivity panels of organisms using amplification oligomers of SEQ ID NOS:2-3, and an AE-labeled detection probe of SEQ ID NO:4 (100 fmol per reaction). The cross-reactivity panels included the non-target organisms shown in Table 6, and were tested at 1,000,000 or 10,000,000 CFU per reaction. Also tested were 100, 1,000 and 10,000 CFU/reaction of A. vaginae cells. Nucleic acids were prepared as generally described herein. Following incubation in lysis buffer and isolation of nucleic acids using target capture oligomers and magnetic bead separation, the target nucleic acids were amplified and detected.

Each of the A. vaginae cell concentrations and the cross-reactivity panel organism cells were tested in five reaction wells using SEQ ID NOS 2-3 amplification oligomers followed by detection using SEQ ID NO:4 detection probe. The amplification reaction proceeded as is generally described herein using TMA, hybridization protection and the SB100 platform, as generally described herein. Reaction wells containing target nucleic acids from A. vaginae cells or from cross-reactivity panel organism cells were mixed with amplification reagent and the amplification oligomers. The SEQ ID NO:2 primer oligomer was at a 50 pM/rxn concentration and the SEQ ID NO:3 promoter primer oligomer was at a 20 pM/rxn concentration. Reaction wells were then amplified in a TMA reaction as generally described. Detection of the amplified products was performed using a labeled detection probe oligomer of SEQ ID NO:4. The mixtures of probe and amplicon were incubated for 20 min at 62.degree.C., cooled at room temperature for about 5 min, and selection reagent (0.25 ml) was added, mixed, and incubated 10 min at 62.degree.C. followed by room temperature for 15 min to hydrolyze the label on unbound probes. Chemiluminescent signal from AE on bound probes was produced by adding detect reagent I, incubating, adding detect reagent II, and detecting by measuring RLU using a LEADER® luminometer. The results of these assays are shown below in Table 6. A positive criterion was set as an RLU value of 100,000 or greater. No cross-reactivity was observed.

TABLE 6 Cross-Reactivity Testing of an A. vaginae Amplification Oligomer and Detection Oligomer Set. Conditions Organism CFU/rxn AVG RLU (sd) RLU Range Blank Blank 17.6 (2.1) 15-20 A vaginae 0 621 (59) 524-683 A vaginae 100 67954 (44641)  19567-112348 A vaginae 1,000 1043173 (1091270)  402270-2979096 A vaginae 10,000 3868010 (2075163)  162638-4973895 Neisseria meningitidis 1,000,000 623 (79) 554-752 serogroup A Neisseria meningitidis 1,000,000 663 (88) 598-810 serogroup B Neisseria meningitidis 1,000,000 605 (38) 573-670 serogroup C Neisseria meningitidis 1,000,000 728 (194)  604-1059 serogroup D Giardia intestinalis 1,000,000 701 (131) 538-854 Ureaplasma urealyticum 1,000,000 619 (16) 610-648 Mycoplasma genitalium 1,000,000 629 (44) 589-693 Candida albicans 1,000,000 605 (16) 585-621 Candida glabrata 1,000,000 637 (15) 613-655 Candida parapsilosis 1,000,000 610 (16) 596-636 Candida tropicalis 1,000,000 694 (109) 592-851 Escherichia coli 1,000,000 663 (28) 631-704 Gardnerella vaginalis 1,000,000 614 (43) 549-666 Staphylococcus aureus 1,000,000 648 (79) 605-787 Staphylococcus epidermidis 1,000,000 653 (76) 576-772 Lactobacillus acidophilus 1,000,000 727 (88) 708-877 Lactobacillus brevis 1,000,000 709 (54) 668-803 Lactobacillus jensenii 1,000,000 703 (67) 654-818 Lactobacillus lactis 1,000,000 666 (29) 638-712 Kingella kingae 10,000,000 615 (20) 587-637 Neisseria cinerea 10,000,000 672 (29) 647-719 Neisseria elongata 10,000,000 631 (21) 607-652 Neisseria flava 10,000,000 654 (37) 610-707 Neisseria flavescens 10,000,000 627 (45) 559-682 Neisseria lactamica 10,000,000 650 (21) 615-664 Neisseria meningitidis 10,000,000 678 (40) 637-740 serogroup W135 Neisseria meningitidis 10,000,000 693 (37) 664-755 serogroup Y Neisseria mucosa 10,000,000 619 (31) 582-648 Neisseria polysaccharea 10,000,000 700 (29) 656-726 Neisseria sicca 10,000,000 627 (21) 608-659 Neisseria subflava 10,000,000 676 (56) 628-747 Neisseria gonorrhoeae 10,000,000 643 (28) 597-672 Moraxella osloensis 10,000,000 800 (192)  654-1066 Derxia gummosa 10,000,000 750 (63) 705-856 Enterococcus faecalis 10,000,000 732 (134) 619-964

For the A. vaginae cells tested, 2 of 5 replicates were positive at 100 CFU per reaction and 5 of 5 replicates were positive at 1,000 and 10,000 CFU per reaction. For the non-target organisms tested in the cross-reactivity panels, none were found to be positive (100,000 RLU or greater). No cross-reactivity was found with any of the non-target organisms tested.

EXAMPLE 5 Amplification and Detection of A. vaginae in Samples Containing Pseudotarget

A series of TMA reactions containing pseudotarget can be prepared using amplification oligomers specific for a segment of the A. vaginae 16S rRNA. (e.g., SEQ ID NOS:2 & 3). One example of a pseudotarget useful with these amplification oligomers is SEQ ID NO:26 (5′-CTTTCAGCAGGGACGAGGCTCAACCCCTATCCGCTCCTGATA-3′). Each reaction can receive a known amount of A. vaginae 16S rRNA. For example, the 1.25 E6 CFU/mL of stock A. vaginae can be diluted to 100,000, 10,000, 1,000, 100 and 0 CFU/mL using specimen buffer. In this example, these reactions can also included either 0, 10.sup.5, 10.sup.6 or 10.sup.7 copies of the SEQ ID NO:26 pseudotarget. Amplification reagent containing the SEQ ID NOS:2 & 3 amplification oligomers can then be added and the reaction can be incubated first at 65.deg. C. for 10 minutes to allow amplification oligomer-target annealing, and then at 42.deg. C. for an additional 5 minutes. Thereafter, each reaction can receive enzyme mixture containing reverse transcriptase and T7 RNA polymerase. Reactions can then be incubated at 42.deg. C. for an additional 60 minutes. Thereafter, samples of the reaction mixtures can be combined with probe reagent, containing probe (e.g., SEQ ID NO:4) bearing an acridinium ester moiety as the label. The sequence of the probe preferably permits hybridization through complementary base pairing only with the target amplicon and not with the pseudotarget amplicon. After hybridizing the mixture at 60.deg. C. for 15 minutes, 300.micro.l of selection reagent can be added and the mixture incubated at 60.deg. C. to inactivate unhybridized probe. Finally, the mixtures can be cooled to room temperature, placed into a luminometer and the amount of analyte amplicon quantitated by measuring the light emitted from a chemiluminescent reaction (in RLUs). Briefly, each reaction tube can be injected first with detection reagent I, then with detection reagent II in order to stimulate light emission. Results will quantitatively indicated the amount of amplicon produced in different reactions, and the variability of these results will be decreased as the amount of pseudotarget is optimized for the reaction.

TABLE 7 Exemplary Oligomers, Reference Sequences and Regions. SEQ ID NO: Sequence (5′ to 3′)  1 (See, FIG.1 and GenBank Accession No.  AF325325.1 GI:12240234, entered  Jan. 16, 2001)  2 CTTTCAGCAGGGACGAGG  3 AATTTAATACGACTCACTATAGGGAGATATCAGGAGCGGATAGGG GTTGA  4 GGUCAGGAGUUAAAUCUGG  5 CTACTGCTGCCTCCCGTAGGAGTTT  6 GGACTACCAGGGTATCTAATCCTGTTT  7 CGACACGAGCTGACGACAGCCATGCATTT  8 GACGTCATCCCCACCTTCCTTTT  9 GGATTAGATACCCTGGTAGTCC 10 AATTTAATACGACTCACTATAGGGAGACCCGTCAATTCCTTTGAG 11 ACTGAGACACGGCCCAAACTCCTACGGGAGG 12 ACTCCTACGGGAGGCAGCAGTAG 13 AATTTAATACGACTCACTATAGGGAGATTACCGCGGCTGCTGGCA CG 14 TCAGCAGGGACGAGGCCGCAAGGTGA 15 GTTAGGTCAGGAGTTAAATCTGG 16 CGGTCTGTTAGGTCAGGAGTT 17 GGTCAGGAGTTAAATCTGG 18 CCGAGGTTAATACCGGATACTC 19 AAGTGGCGAACGGCTGAGTAA 20 AATTTAATACGACTCACTATAGGGAGAATCATTGCCTTGGTAGGCC 21 CTACTGCTGCCTCCCGTAGGAG 22 GGACTACCAGGGTATCTAATCCTG 23 CGACACGAGCTGACGACAGCCATGCA 24 GACGTCATCCCCACCTTCCT 25 aatttaatacgactcactatagggaga 26 CTTTCAGCAGGGACGAGGCTCAACCCCTATCCGCTCCTGATA 27 TATCAGGAGCGGATAGGGGTTGA 28 CCCGTCAATTCCTTTGAG 29 TTACCGCGGCTGCTGGCACG 30 ATCATTGCCTTGGTAGGCC 31 GTGGCGAACGGCTGAGTAACAC 32 AACGGCTGAGTAACACGTG 33 GGCAACCTGCCCTTTGCACTGGGATA 34 TGCCCTTTGCACTGGGATAGCCTCGGGA 35 AATTTAATACGACTCACTATAGGGAGAGGAGTATCCGGTATTAAC CTCGG 36 GGAGTATCCGGTATTAACCTCGG 37 AATTTAATACGACTCACTATAGGGAGAGGAGTATCCGGTATTAAC CTC 38 GGAGTATCCGGTATTAACCTC 39 CCACCAACTAGCTAACAGGTTT 40 CCACCAACTAGCTAACAGG 41 AACCCGGCTACCCATCATTGCCTTGGTTT 42 AACCCGGCTACCCATCATTGCCTTGG 44 cggtctgttaggtcaggagttaaatctgg 45 gttaggtcaggagttaaatctgg 46 ggtcaggagttaaatctgg 47 cggtctgttaggtcaggagtt 48 ggtcaggagtt 43 CTTTCAGCAGGGACGAGGCCGCAAGGTGACGGTACCTGCAGAAGAA GCCCCGGCTAACTACGTGCCAGCAGCCGCGGTAATACGTAGGGGGC AAGCGTTATCCGGATTCATTGGGCGTAAAGCGCGCGTAGGCGGTCT GTTAGGTCAGGAGTTAAATCTGGGGGCTCAACCCCTATCCGCTCCT GATA 50 CTTTCAGCAGGGACGAGGCCGCAAGGTGA

Amplification and Detection of A. vaginae in the Presence of Pseudotarget.

This example amplifies and detects A. vaginae target nucleic acids in the presence of a pseudotarget. The pseudotarget nucleic acid contains primer binding sites, but does not contain a probe binding site. Thus, the pseudotarget reduces the detection signal received from a sample containing A. vaginae. In a first set of experiments, A. vaginae lysates was serially diluted to provide 4.08E+8, 4.08E+7, 4.08E+6, 4.08E+5, 4.08E+4 and 0 cfu/ml. Target nucleic acids were separated from the sample medium using target capture oligomers (SEQ ID NOS:5 & 6). An amplification reaction was set up as is generally described herein, e.g., see Example 4. Amplification oligomers used were SEQ ID NO:2 and SEQ ID NO:3. The amplification reaction was a TMA reaction (see also e.g., APTIMA HPV Assay package insert, Gen-Probe Incorporated, San Diego, Calif.) and included one of the dilutions of Atopobium lysates, amplification oligomers SEQ ID NOS:2 & 3 but no pseudotarget. At the end of the amplification reaction a detection reaction was performed as described above. The detection probe was SEQ ID NO:4 and included an acridinium ester label and detection was performed using a luminometer (e.g., LEADER®, Gen-Probe Incorporated, San Diego, Calif.). Results are as follows in Table 8:

TABLE 8 Bacterial Vaginosis Assay with Atopobium as a Target Dilution 0 Cfu/ml 4.08E+08 cfu/ml 4.08E+07 cfu/ml 4.08E+06 cfu/ml 4.08E+05 cfu/ml 4.08E+04 cfu/ml RLU1 1,257 5,572,314 4,723,033 2,731,692 294,033 25,810 RLU2 1,353 5,489,311 5,230,899 2,618,192 593,129 29,800 RLU3 1,166 5,137,086 5,226,230 3,110,696 319,963 22,652 RLU4 1,290 5,302,303 5,159,338 4,306,087 220,512 18,717 RLU5 1,129 5,317,745 5,176,755 2,423,377 442,825 16,183 Average 1,239 5,363,752 5,103,251 3,038,009 374,092 22,632 RLU ±SD 91 170,685 214,786 751,857 146,311 5,441

To reduce the sensitivity of the amplification and detection reaction, a second experiment was performed using a pseudotarget spiked into the amplification reaction. In this set of experiments 4.08E+7 cfu/ml concentration was used along with SEQ ID NOS:5 & 6 as target capture oligomers, SEQ ID NOS:2 & 3 as amplification oligomers, SEQ ID NO:4 as a detection probe and SEQ ID NO:26 as a pseudotarget. The pseudotarget was provided as a serial dilution from 1.00E-2 to 1.25E-5 fmol/ml (see Table 9 for concentrations), and each concentration was tested individually with captured target nucleic acid. This experiment was set up as is generally described herein and was run as a TMA reaction with detection taking place on a luminometer (e.g., LEADER®, Gen-Probe Incorporated, San Diego, Calif. Example 4 and APTIMA HPV package insert). Results are as follows in Table 9 parts 1 & 2:

TABLE 9 (part 1): Pseudotarget titration with A. vaginae added into each amplification reaction A. vag 0 cfu/ml conc PsT 0 fmol/ml 0 fmol/ml 1.00E−02 5.00E−03 2.50E−03 1.25E−03 1.00E−03 conc. RLU1 730 2327247 20184 31709 40866 56846 76307 RLU2 705 3442850 20286 33347 37128 59168 78227 RLU3 812 2846665 19605 32859 15529 54168 72708 RLU4 659 3166180 20414 31195 34808 52628 70042 RLU5 720 2917624 25022 38145 38391 48607 68407 Average 725 2940113 21102 33451 33344 54283 73138 RLU SD 56 414938 2213 2762 10197 4044 4126 (part 2): Pseudotarget titration with A. vaginae added into each amplification reaction A. vag conc PsT 5.00E−04 2.50E−04 1.25E−04 1.00E−04 5.00E−05 2.50E−05 1.25E−05 conc. RLU1 75944 110381 149446 118530 254951 316581 363646 RLU2 84378 99720 150423 183644 301574 281288 389686 RLU3 86151 99341 163337 127318 216515 356124 476565 RLU4 87987 113159 167748 187865 241695 321887 362172 RLU5 72308 95711 149566 129400 204287 349987 352628 Average 81354 103662 156104 149351 243804 325173 388939 RLU SD 6842 7628 8764 33514 37988 29934 50876

These results show that the pseudotarget is effective in decreasing the sensitivity of an amplification reaction. Here, there is shown an inverse relationship between the concentration of pseudotarget in the sample and the RLU value.

EXAMPLE 6 Direct Detection of A. vaginae in Samples Containing One or More Challenge Organisms

This example uses the technique of nucleic acid hybridization to identify A. vaginae directly from a sample and without an amplification step. The sample can be a vaginal swab sample or other sample suspected of containing A. vaginae. A. vaginae is present in normal samples and in bacterial vaginosis samples, the difference being an increase in the A. vaginae present in a bacterial vaginosis sample. For this reason, a direct detection assay as described in this example can be used wherein the amplification step is omitted. Often, the increased A. vaginae is increased relative to and present with other flora in the sample. For this reason, the direct detection assay for detecting A. vaginae is often done in the presence of challenge organisms. Furthermore, detection of one of more of these challenge organisms can also be performed.

The method in this example will use a chemiluminescent, single stranded DNA probe that is complementary to the 16S ribosomal RNA or gene encoding the 16S rRNA of A. vaginae. When detecting more than one organism, the method uses two or more different chemiluminescent, single stranded DNA probes, each being complementary to a gene in its respective target organism. After the ribosomal RNA is released from the organism, the labeled DNA probe combines with it to form a stable DNA:RNA hybrid. The presence of stable DNA:RNA hybrids is detected in a luminometer by virtue of their chemiluminescent labels. For reference, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,283,174, 5,656,207, 5,658,737 and 5,824,475 generally describe linear detection probes labeled with an AE compound for hybridizing to a target nucleic acid and detection by using a hybridization protection assay that selectively degrades the AE label in unhybridized probes and detects the signal from hybridized probes.

Probe oligomers used for the direct detection of A. vaginae will be antisense to the rRNA target nucleic acid. Table 10 illustrates some embodiments of probes useful for direct detection of a target nucleic acid. In Table 10, SEQ ID NOS:49 and 51-57 are the reverse complements of SEQ ID NOS:4, 14-18 and 33-34, respectively. In a further embodiment, the probes oligomers can optionally include one or more 2′-O-methoxy RNA residues. Additional embodiments of probe oligomers that can be used for direct detection of A. vaginae include those that are 10 to 40 nucleotides in length, are configured to specifically hybridize to a nucleotide sequence corresponding to nucleotides 538 to 566 of GenBank Accession No.: AF325325.1, gi:12240234 (SEQ ID NO:44) and are further configured antisense to the target rRNA.

TABLE 10 A. vaginae Direct Detection Probe Oligomer Sequences Sequence 5′→3′ SEQ ID NO. CCUGUTTTUUCTCCTGUCC 49 TCACCTTGCGGCCTCGTCCCTGCTGA 51 CCAGATTTAACTCCTGACCTAAC 52 AACTCCTGACCTAACAGACCG 53 CCAGATTTAACTCCTGACC 54 GAGTATCCGGTATTAACCTCGG 55 TATCCCAGTGCAAAGGGCAGGTTGCC 56 TCCCGAGGCTATCCCAGTGCAAAGGGCA 57

In this example, a sample suspected of containing A. vaginae can be directly detected. The sample is first processed under conditions that will release into solution the A. vaginae nucleic acids and the nucleic acids of any challenge organisms that are present. Direct detection of A. vaginae combines a labeled detection probe oligomer of SEQ ID NO:49 with the sample. Typically, the probe is present in solution at a total concentration of 0.1 pmol of probe in 0.1 ml of solution. The amount of probe used can be adjusted to provide a maximum detectable signal in an acceptable detection range, e.g., about 5,000,000 relative light units (“RLU”). The mixtures of probe and target sequences are then treated with a hybridization reagent to bind the probe to the target nucleic acid and then detect the chemiluminescent signal produced from hybridized probes substantially as described previously (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,283,174 and 5,639,604, Arnold Jr. et al.). Briefly, the probe and target nucleic acid mixtures are incubated for about 20 min at 62.deg.C., then cooled at room temperature for about 5 min. Selection reagent is then added, mixed, and incubated for about 10 min at 62.deg.C. followed by room temperature for about 15 min to hydrolyze the label on unbound probes. Chemiluminescent signal will be produced from AE on bound probes by adding a first detection reagent, incubating the reaction, and then adding a second detection reagent. The signal can then be detected by measuring RLU by using a luminometer (e.g., LEADER®, Gen-Probe Incorporated, San Diego, Calif.), and the presence or absence of A. vaginae can be determined.

One or more organisms in addition to A. vaginae can also be directly detected from the sample. For example, a direct detection assay can be performed to detect A. vaginae and one or more of G. vaginalis, Prevotella sp, anaerobic gram positive cocci, Mobiluncus sp, Mycoplasma hominis, Eggerthella hongkongensis, Megasphaera sp, and Leptotrichia sanguinegens. Separate reaction can be set up for each of the organisms to be detected. The separate reactions can take place in different wells of a multi-well plate. A sample is processed under conditions that release the organisms' nucleic acids into solution. The released nucleic acids are then added to multiple wells of the multi-well plate. Separate probe solutions are prepared each to include a labeled detection probe targeting one of the organisms to be detected (e.g., a probe solution for A. vaginae, G. vaginalis, Prevotella sp, anaerobic gram positive cocci, Mobiluncus sp, Mycoplasma hominis, Eggerthella hongkongensis, Megasphaera sp, and/or Leptotrichia sanguinegens) and the probe solutions are added to separate reaction wells. The mixtures of probes and target sequences are then treated with a hybridization reagent to bind the probes to the target nucleic acids and then detect the chemiluminescent signal produced from hybridized probes substantially as described previously (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,283,174 and 5,639,604, Arnold Jr. et al.). Briefly, the probe and target nucleic acid mixtures are incubated for about 20 min at 62.deg.C., then cooled at room temperature for about 5 min. Selection reagent is then added, mixed, and incubated for about 10 min at 62.deg.C. followed by room temperature for about 15 min to hydrolyze the label on unbound probes. Chemiluminescent signal will be produced from AE on bound probes by adding a first detection reagent, incubating the reaction, and then adding a second detection reagent. The signal can then be detected by measuring RLU by using a luminometer (e.g., LEADER®, Gen-Probe Incorporated, San Diego, Calif.), and the presence or absence of A. vaginae, G. vaginalis, Prevotella sp, anaerobic gram positive cocci, Mobiluncus sp, Mycoplasma hominis, Eggerthella hongkongensis, Megasphaera sp, and/or Leptotrichia sanguinegens can be determined.

The contents of the articles, patents, and patent applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety to the same extent as if each individual publication was specifically and individually indicated as being incorporated by reference. Applicants reserve the right to physically incorporate into this application any and all materials and information from any such articles, patents, patent applications, or other physical and electronic documents.

The methods illustratively described herein may suitably be practiced in the absence of any element or elements, limitation or limitations, not specifically disclosed herein. Thus, for example, the terms “comprising”, “including,” containing”, etc. shall be read expansively and without limitation. Additionally, the terms and expressions employed herein have been used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof. It is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed. Thus, it should be understood that although the present invention has been specifically disclosed by preferred embodiments and optional features, modification and variation of the invention embodied therein herein disclosed may be resorted to by those skilled in the art, and that such modifications and variations are considered to be within the scope of this invention.

The invention has been described broadly and generically herein. Each of the narrower species and subgeneric groupings falling within the generic disclosure also form part of the methods. This includes the generic description of the methods with a proviso or negative limitation removing any subject matter from the genus, regardless of whether or not the excised material is specifically recited herein.

Other embodiments are within the following claims. In addition, where features or aspects of the methods are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group. 

1. A method for detecting in a sample a 16S rRNA of A. vaginae or a gene encoding a 16S rRNA of A. vaginae, comprising the steps of: a. providing a sample, wherein said sample is suspected of containing an Atopobium vaginae bacterium; b. contacting said sample with at least two amplification oligomers, wherein a first amplification oligomer is from about 15 to about 25 contiguous nucleotides in length and is about 90% or more identical to SEQ ID NO:2, and wherein a second amplification oligomer comprises a target hybridizing sequence that is from about 15 to about 25 contiguous nucleotides in length and is about 90% or more identical to SEQ ID NO:27, and wherein said first and second amplification oligomers are configured to specifically hybridize to a target sequence within a 16S rRNA of A. vaginae or a gene encoding a 16S rRNA of A. vaginae; c. performing an in vitro nucleic acid amplification reaction wherein any target nucleic acid present in said sample is used as a template for generating an amplification product; and d. contacting said in vitro nucleic acid amplification reaction with a detection probe oligomer and providing conditions for performing a detection reaction to determine the presence or absence of an amplification product.
 2. A method for detecting in a sample a 16S rRNA of A. vaginae or a gene encoding a 16S rRNA of A. vaginae, comprising the steps of: a. providing a sample, wherein said sample is suspected of containing an Atopobium vaginae bacterium; b. contacting said sample with at least two amplification oligomers, each being from 15 to 25 nucleotides in length and configured to generate from a 16S rRNA of A. vaginae or a gene encoding a 16S rRNA of A. vaginae, an amplicon that has a contiguous nucleotide sequence that is at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO:43, wherein said at least two amplification oligomers specifically hybridize to A. vaginae target nucleic acid in the presence of one or more of G. vaginalis, Prevotella sp, anaerobic gram positive cocci, Mobiluncus sp, Mycoplasma hominis, Eggerthella hongkongensis, Megasphaera sp, and/or Leptotrichia sanguinegens; c. performing an in vitro nucleic acid amplification reaction wherein any target nucleic acid present in said sample is used as a template for generating an amplification product; and d. performing a detection reaction to determine the presence or absence of an amplification product.
 3. (canceled)
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein a first amplification oligomer of said at least two amplification oligomers is about 90% or more identical to SEQ ID NO:2, or wherein a first amplification oligomer sequence of said at least two amplification oligomers is about 90% or more identical to SEQ ID NO:2, and a second amplification oligomer sequence of said at least two amplification oligomers is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:27, SEQ ID NO:27 joined at its 5′ end to a promoter sequence, and SEQ ID NO:3.
 5. (canceled)
 6. The method of claim 4, wherein said first amplification oligomer sequence is about 90% or more identical to SEQ ID NO:2 and is 18 contiguous nucleotides in length.
 7. The method of claim 4, wherein a first amplification oligomer sequence is SEQ ID NO:2 and a second amplification oligomer comprises a target hybridizing sequence that is from about 21 to about 25 contiguous nucleotides in length and is about 90% or more identical to SEQ ID NO:27, and wherein said second amplification oligomer sequence comprises a target hybridizing sequence that is 23 contiguous nucleotides in length, and wherein said second amplification oligomer further comprises at its 5′ end a promoter sequence.
 8. The method of claim 4, wherein a second amplification oligomer sequence of said at least two amplification oligomers comprises a target hybridizing sequence that is from about 21 to about 25 contiguous nucleotides in length and is about 90% or more identical to SEQ ID NO:27 and wherein said second amplification oligomer sequence comprises a target hybridizing sequence that is 23 contiguous nucleotides in length, and wherein said second amplification oligomer sequence further comprises at its 5′ end a promoter sequence. 9.-11. (canceled)
 12. The method of claim 7, wherein said second amplification oligomer sequence is SEQ ID NO:3.
 13. The method of claim 8, wherein said second amplification oligomer sequence is SEQ ID NO:3. 14.-15. (canceled)
 16. The method of claim 2, wherein said at least two amplification oligomers are configured to specifically hybridize to a 16S rRNA of A. vaginae or a gene encoding a 16S rRNA of A. vaginae in the presence of one or more of anerobic gram-positive cocci; Megasphaera sp.; Lactobacillus sp.; Lactobacillus iners; Lactobacillus crispatus group; Lactobacillus gasseri group; Gardnerella sp; Gardnerella vaginalis; Trichamonas sp; Trichamonas vaginalis; Candida sp; Eggerthella sp.; Bacterium from the order Clostridiales; Clostridium-like sp.; Prevotella sp.; Prevotella bivia group; Prevotella buccalis group; Atopobium sp.; Atopobium vaginae; Enterobacteria; Peptostreptococcus micros; Aerococcus christensenii; Leptotrichia amnionii; Peptoniphilus sp.; Dialister sp.; Mycoplasma hominis; Sneathia sanguinegens; Anaerococcus tetradius; Mobiluncus sp.; Mobiluncus hominis; Eggerthella hongkongensis; Megasphaera sp; Leptotrichia sanguinegens and/or Finegoldia magna, Prevotella sp, anaerobic gram positive cocci, and generate from said 16S rRNA of A. vaginae or gene encoding a 16S rRNA of A. vaginae an amplicon that is from 150 to 235 nucleotides in length and has a contiguous nucleotide sequence that is at least 80% identical to SEQ ID NO:43. 17.-19. (canceled)
 20. The method of claim 2, wherein said detection reaction step is performed using a detection probe oligomer, mass spectrometry-based detection, electrophoresis, sequencing reaction or probe array detection.
 21. The method of claim 20 wherein said detection reaction step is performed with a detection probe oligomer for real-time detection, a detection probe oligomer for taqman detection, a fluorescently labeled detection probe oligomer, or an acridinium ester labeled detection probe oligomer. 22.-26. (canceled)
 27. The method of claim 20, wherein said detection probe oligomer sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOS:4, 15, 16 &
 17. 28.-29. (canceled)
 30. Amplification oligomers for amplifying a 16S rRNA of A. vaginae or a gene encoding 16S rRNA of A. vaginae, wherein said amplification oligomers are configured to specifically hybridize to said 16S rRNA of A. vaginae or a gene encoding 16S rRNA of A. vaginae and generate an amplicon comprising a target specific sequence that is from about 150 nucleotides in length to about 235 nucleotides in length and is at least 80% identical to SEQ ID NO:43, wherein at least one of the amplification oligomer sequences is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:27, SEQ ID NO:2 with a promoter sequence attached to its 5′ end, SEQ ID NO:3 with a promoter sequence attached to its 5′ end, SEQ ID NO:3, and combinations thereof.
 31. The amplification oligomers of claim 30, wherein said amplicon is from about 169 nucleotides in length to about 209 nucleotides in length and is at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO:43, or wherein said amplicon is from about 178 nucleotides in length to about 198 nucleotides in length and is at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO:43, or wherein said amplicon contains a sequence that is SEQ ID NO:43. 32.-37. (canceled)
 38. The amplification oligomers of claim 30, wherein a first oligomer member of said amplification oligomers comprises a sequence that is SEQ ID NO:2 and a second oligomer member of said amplification oligomers comprises a sequence that is SEQ ID NO:27, or wherein a first oligomer member of said amplification oligomers comprises a sequence that is SEQ ID NO:2 and a second oligomer member of said amplification oligomers comprises a sequence that is SEQ ID NO:3. 39.-43. (canceled)
 44. The amplification oligomers of claim 30, wherein said promoter sequence is selected from the group consisting of RNA polymerase promoter sequences, T7 RNA polymerase promoter sequences and SEQ ID NO:25. 45.-47. (canceled)
 48. A detection probe oligomer from 10 nucleotides in length to 40 nucleotides in length configured to specifically hybridize to all or a portion of a region of a target sequence of an A. vaginae 16S rRNA nucleic acid or amplified nucleic acid sequence, said region corresponding to from nucleotide 538 to nucleotide 566 of SEQ ID NO:44. 49.-51. (canceled)
 52. The detection probe oligomer of claim 48, comprising a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOS:4, 15, 16 and
 17. 53.-83. (canceled) 